Manchester United vs CFR Cluj Preview

December 5, 2012 By Angela Asante

Topics: UEFA Champions League, Manchester United, CFR Cluj

Manchester United will count on their young guns to perform in Wednesday's match at home to UEFA Champions League Last 16 qualification contenders CFR Cluj.

Analysis

Manchester United are more than safe with the top spot in Group H already secured. Wednesday’s encounter offers Sir Alex Ferguson yet another opportunity to name a second-choice squad. Veteran Ryan Giggs will likely be one of the very few experienced players on the pitch against CFR Cluj.

There are a few aspects of their game on which the Red Devils can improve as Fergie grows his young crops. Over the weekend, Manchester United conceded up to three goals against Reading and misfired at the other end of the field amid scoring four goals. A second-string side also lost 1-0 to Galatasaray on Matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League.

Wednesday’s home match will be like an exercise for the likes of Buttner, Wootton, Powell, Welbeck and company. Meanwhile, CFR Cluj must go on the edge of their limits. They must pull up an upset or count on Braga to do them a favour.

Team News

Manchester United’s probable starting XI: De Gea; Buttner, Wootton, Jones, Smalling; Giggs, Powell, Cleverley; Young, Hernandez, Welbeck

CFR Cluj’s probable starting XI: Felgueiras; Pinto, Cadu, Piccolo, Rada; Alberto, Muresan; Sougou, Pedro, Camora; Bastos

Manchester United’s last four matches:

November 20, 2012: Galatasaray 1-0 Manchester United (UCL)
November 24, 2012: Manchester United 3-1 Queens Park Rangers (EPL)
November 28, 2012: Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United (EPL)
December 1, 2012: Reading 3-4 Manchester United (EPL)

CFR Cluj’s last four matches:

November 20, 2012: CFR Cluj 3-1 Sporting Braga (UCL)
November 24, 2012: Universitatea Cluj 1-2 CFR Cluj (Romanian league)
November 28, 2012: CFR Cluj *2-1 D. Bucuresti (Domestic cup match)
December 1, 2012: G. M. Medias 1-1 CFR Cluj (Romanian league)