Manchester Utd vs Twente Prediction: 25/9/2024

Last season’s FA Cup winners, Manchester United, have secured their spot in the Europa League group stage, but they remain a puzzle that seems difficult to solve. Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, and aside from Mourinho’s successful 2017 campaign with a Europa League title, United has struggled to find consistent form, particularly in the Premier League.

Last season, they finished a disappointing 8th. While Manchester United’s history places them among England’s top clubs, their recent performances have fallen short of expectations. Despite a significant summer transfer window, the Red Devils suffered two defeats before the international break—losing 2-1 to Brighton and 3-0 to Liverpool.

After the break, United traveled to Southampton, faced Barnsley in the EFL Cup, and played Crystal Palace in the league. On the other side, Twente almost reached the Champions League this season, but were eliminated by Red Bull Salzburg, losing 2-1 in Austria and drawing 3-3 at home.

Twente’s form in the domestic league has been mixed, with only one win in their last three matches—a 2-1 victory against NEC Nijmegen, followed by a draw with Sparta Rotterdam and a defeat to Utrecht. After the break, Twente hosted Zwolle and Heerenveen, and then traveled to Almere City.

Rasmus Holjund, Manchester United’s striker who scored 10 goals in the Premier League last season, has yet to play this season due to injury. Other notable absences include Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, and Luke Shaw, while summer signing Lenny Yoro is also sidelined. Dutch international Joshua Zirkzee, who scored his first goal for United against Fulham in the season opener, has not found the net since. Key players like Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Casemiro are expected to step up their performances for United.

Twente, heading to Old Trafford, will be without Czech international Michal Sadilek due to injury. However, they still have promising players like new signing Sam Lammers, who has scored twice in three league matches, and 22-year-old Steijn, who notched 17 goals last season and has already contributed a goal and an assist this season.

 

Prediction

In 19 of Manchester United’s last 20 away matches in the Europa League, no more than three goals have been scored, with the exception being a high-scoring win last month. While United’s football is often entertaining, 18 of their last 20 home games have also seen fewer than 3.5 goals.

Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Twente