Champions League 2023-24: Bayern Munich vs Manchester United Match Preview, Team News, Predicted Lineups, and Fantasy XI

European giants Bayern Munich and Manchester United will lock horns at the Allianz Arena for their opening Group A fixture in the Champions League 2023-24 season. The two teams last met in a competitive fixture nine years ago when Bayern were the 3-1 winners in a quarter-final second-leg tie, while they last faced each other in the group stage back in 2001.

Bayern won their opening three Bundesliga games of the new season. But their 100% start came to an end when they were forced to settle for just a point in a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena to Bayer Leverkusen last Friday. Head coach Thomas Tuchel will serve a touchline suspension on Wednesday as he received a red card against Manchester City last season.

Man United boss Erik ten Hag was hoping to change the momentum of the team but his side was booed off in a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last week. It hasn't been a good start for the Red Devils as they had to take the loss in three matches out of five. The game against Bayern will be surely the toughest match of this season until now.

Read Also: Barcelona, Man City and PSG started their Champions League 2023-24 campaign with demanding victories

UEFA Champions League 2023-24: Bayern Munich vs Manchester United Match Preview

Match Details

• Match: Bayern Munich vs Manchester United
• Kickoff time & Date: 21/09/2023 | 12:30 A.M. IST
• Venue: Allianz Arena
• Where to watch: Sony Liv | Sony Sports Ten 2

Bayern Munich vs Manchester United | Head-to-Head

This will be the 12th competitive meeting between Bayern Munich and Manchester United. All of the previous 11 meetings were in the UEFA Champions League. Five of those have been played at Bayern's home, a fixture the Germans have never lost (W3 D2).

The Red Devils have a special memory of the 1999 UCL final in Barcelona, which the English side won 2-1 with two last-gasp goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

The European giants last met in the Champions League quarter-finals back in 2013-14. After a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in the first leg, Bayern won the second leg at the Allianz Arena 3-1. Mario Mandžukić, Thomas Müller, and Arjen Robben scored their goals, to cancel out Patrice Evra's banger.

Team News

Bayern Munich:

The German side doesn't have any serious injury concerns. The new summer signing, Harry Kane is in fiery form and he will face his former rival side in the opening game. The fans were not happy with Bayern's display in the last game. They would love to see a complete performance when their team will welcome the Red Devils. One of the key men for the German side would surely be Sane. A very tactical and technically gifted winner who can cause trouble for United especially when they are struggling with their two main wingback's injuries. Kimmich will surely start in the midfield alongside Goretzka and Musiala.

Bayern has players who can hurt any team after coming off the bench at the right time. Muller could also start like he did in the last game. It will be interesting to see which defensive pair Tuchel will start against the Red Devils especially when they have too many options. This should be an easy match for Bayern as United are having a tough time both on and off the pitch but they cannot take the English Giant lightly.

Manchester United:

United are just going through a very bad phase at this time. And day by day, it's getting worse for them. The new signing, Amrabat is already injured so he will not be available till December at least. On the other side, AWB also sustained an injury which will keep him out for the next two months. Last season's best Manchester United player after Rashford, Luke Shaw is also injured. Malacia and Kobe Mainoo are also not available while Antony going through investigations will keep him out for a long time. English International, Sancho's behavioral issues have kept him out of the squad and it's not improving for now.

The fans are upset with Ten Hag's coaching but it's just getting tougher every day. A whole bunch of players are out with injuries or something else and everyone is expecting them to turn the table. Varane and Mount are training but they will not travel with the squad for obvious reasons. They are not match fit for now and it will surely take a week or two to happen.

Danish International, Rasmus Højlund showed some excellent moves in the last match against Brighton and scored a goal which was disallowed for Rashford's late pass he showed positive signs and Ten Hag has to start him over anyone. Lindelof and Martinez will be the defensive pair with Casemiro, Bruno, and Eriksen in the midfield. Rashford will start in his natural left-wing position but he has to act decisive at the right moment.

Champions League 2023-24: Bayern Munich vs Manchester United | Possible Lineups

Bayern Munich Expected Starting Lineup:
Ulreich; Mazraoui, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Laimer, Goretzka; Sane, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane

Manchester United Expected Starting Lineup:
Onana; Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Reguilon; Casemiro, Eriksen; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund

Champions League 2023-24: Bayern Munich vs Manchester United | Fantasy XI

• Goalkeeper: Onana
• Defender: Mazraoui, Davies, Lisandro, Kim
• Midfielder: Bruno Fernandes, Kimmich, Goretzka
• Attacker: Leroy Sane, Harry Kane, Rasmus Højlund