Manchester United “Will Probably Lose” to Middlesbrough

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Having made it through to the Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night, the games keep coming thick and fast for Manchester United.  Jose Mourinho takes his team to the Riverside on Sunday, to play a Middlesbrough team desperate for points and without a manager.

In most cases, Manchester United would be rightly considered as strong favourites for this match.  However, having such a hectic schedule of games and players missing through suspension and injury, could we have an upset this weekend?  Will the Middlesbrough players respond to the sacking of their manager, Aitor Karanka?

Trends show Middlesbrough have been struggling with life in the Premier League, having won promotion from the Championship last season.  Middlesbrough have failed to win any of their previous ten Premier League matches, a run stretching back to December.  During that period of ten games, they have drawn four and lost six, picking up just 4 points from a possible 30.  It’s little wonder, given that record, those at the top decided it was time for a change.

The lack of goals has been a real problem for Middlesbrough this season and trends show they have failed to score a single goal in their last four Premier League games.  In fact, Middlesbrough have scored just 3 goals in their last ten league matches and this must change, if they are to avoid the drop this season.  Middlesbrough have scored 5 fewer goals than bottom placed Sunderland, so it’s clear where improvements need to be made.

Manchester United head to the Riverside with problems of their own and both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba will miss the game due to suspension and injury respectively.  Ander Herrera also misses the match following his red card at Chelsea in the FA Cup and Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and Wayne Rooney are doubtful.

In truth, the likes of Ibrahimovic and Pogba looked like they needed a rest, despite their absence being a blow for Mourinho. Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini could get the nod in central midfield. With Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan available further forward, the Manchester United boss has plenty of options, some of which will be fresh having not featured against FC Rostov on Thursday.

Trends show Manchester United are unbeaten in their last seventeen Premier League games, which is a good record.  Although they have dropped points, including the disappointing draw against Bournemouth last time out, they have become very tough to beat.  Mourinho is quoted as saying Manchester United will probably lose this game, in a strange interview given after the Rostov match.  The pressure appears to be mounting in the Old Trafford hot seat but he must believe his team can win this game.

Manchester United last played away from home in the Premier League on the 5th February, so this will be an unusual outing for them. They will be up against a team who may came out and perform differently, having lost their manager. This has the makings of a very tight match, with one goal being enough to seal the win for either team. With the possibility of Middlesbrough missing players at the back, you must fancy Manchester United to take maximum points, despite the negative attitude of their manager.