Europa League: Manchester United and Inter Milan to feature tonight in the quarter-final stage

The Europa League last eight kicks off tonight with Manchester United alongside Inter Milan to feature against Copenhagen and Bayer Leverkusen respectively.

UEFA announced the new format for the last eight of both the Champions League and Europa before Europen football returned. It agrees on a neutral venue for the remainder of the competitions starting from the quarter-final stage till the final. It also said the games would be a one-legged tie as opposed to the former home and away fixtures.

See also: Final 8th format for Champions League and Europa League competitions

Manchester United vs FC Copenhagen

Manchester United would square off against Danish side F.C Copenhagen tonight in the first set of quarter-final games in the Europa League and United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said the Europa League is the perfect launchpad for the exciting youngsters in the squad.

Solskjaer is determined to win the Europa League this season and has charged the youngsters in the squad to put in their best whenever selected.

United has made trips to Holland, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Belgium, and Austria, and are now in Germany in search of continental silverware in a new-look final-eight tournament.

Their opponents, FC Copenhagen, know they face a stern test and would need to battle hard to upset United in their Europa League quarter-final match tonight.

This is the Danish side’s first European quarter-final but the manager of the side, Solbakken, knows a thing or two about shocking United, having led the side to victory against them in a Champions League fixture nearly 14 years ago.

“In order to do that we have to play perfect,” he says, reflecting on that 1-0 win in November 2006.

“We need a bit of luck. We maybe need a United that doesn’t fire on all cylinders. We need to be perfect defensively. We need to take that one or two or three chances we get during a game like this.

“The chances are not great but it’s an advantage for us that it’s over 90 minutes and not 180 minutes. We have a good feeling. After the season, we managed to get a week break and when the players returned from that we have managed to get a couple of players able to play who have been vital to us before.

“We have a good feeling after the 3-0 victory (against Istanbul Basaksehir) but you shouldn’t put your house on us tomorrow. But we will give everything.”

Manchester United vs FC Copenhagen team news

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces a big selection headache in the goalkeeping department. Usually, second choice goalkeeper, Sergio Romero, features in the Cup games and has played eight times in the Europa League so far, including both games against LASK.

First choice goalie, David de Gea, has featured only once but was selected ahead of the Argentine for the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea when the Spain international made two blunders in the Blues’ victory.

“I must be the most privileged manager in the world with the goalkeeping department with Sergio, David, and Dean Henderson coming back,” he said.

Phil Jones did not travel with Manchester United to the Europa League finals due to a knee injury. The 28-year-old has endured a tough season having last played in January’s FA Cup fourth-round win at Tranmere.

United’s 18-year-old defender Teden Mengi, who made his debut against LASK on Wednesday, are among those in the squad in Cologne. Axel Tuanzebe and Luke Shaw have both been omitted from the updated Europa League squad due to season-ending injuries.

Solskjaer and Copenhagen boss Stale Solbakken used to play together back in the day with the latter acknowledging United are big favorites.

Guillermo Varela, who played 11 times for United during the 2015/16 season, will line up at right-back. Jonas Wind scored twice and provided an assist against Basaksehir, making him Copenhagen’s danger man.

Stats and facts going into the match (backed by Opta)

• Manchester United and FC København have only met twice previously, playing one another in the 2006-07 Champions League group stages – the Red Devils won 3-0 at Old Trafford before losing 1-0 in Copenhagen.
• In 10 previous attempts, FC København’s only victory against English sides in European competition was against Manchester United in November 2006 (D4 L5). They have failed to score in their last four games against English opponents.
• This is FC København’s first ever European quarter-final appearance, while they are the first Danish side to reach a major UEFA European quarter-final since Brøndby IF in the 1996-97 UEFA Cup. Brøndby IF are also the only Danish side to reach a major European semi-final, achieving that feat in the 1990-91 UEFA Cup.

Inter Milan face a tough test as they face Bayer Leverkusen

Antonio Conte and his very much improved Inter side face one of their toughest tests yet as they vie for Europa League glory.

The Italian side who just secured the services of former United winger, Alexis Sanchez, on a permanent deal until 2020 would look to quickly obliterate Bayer Leverkusen in tonight’s one-legged fixture.

Inter finished just one point behind Serie A winners Juventus and have qualified for next seasons Champions League competition.

Antonio Conte could look to continue with the same XI that beat Getafe in the one-legged affair in the last 16, meaning Lautaro Martinez could retain his place alongside Romelu Lukaku in front of goal.

There are no key injury concerns for both side but all eyes would be on Chelsea’s target, Kai Havertz, while Leon Bailey is expected to also start for the German side.

Stats and facts heading into the match (Backed by Opta)

• This will be only the third competitive meeting between Inter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen, after the Italian side won both clashes in the 2002-03 Champions League second group stage, 3-2 at home and 2-0 away.
• Bayer Leverkusen have reached the quarter-final stage of a major European competition for the first time since the 2007-08 UEFA Cup, while they haven’t reached a semi-final since 2001-02 when they made the final of the 2001-02 Champions League.
• Inter striker Romelu Lukaku has scored in each of his last eight appearances in the UEFA Europa League (11 goals in total), a run stretching across 2014-15 with Everton and this season. He is only the second player to score in eight consecutive appearances in the UEFA Cup/Europa League, after Alan Shearer in 2004-05; no player has ever scored in nine in a row.