PARTIZAN vs MAN UTD – EUROPA LEAGUE LIVE!
- The only previous occasion Partizan and Man Utd have met was in the 1965-66 European Cup semi-finals
- This is Man Utd’s first meeting with Serbian opposition since the 1991 European Super Cup
- Partizan are unbeaten in 11 home games in European competition
- Man Utd remain unbeaten in 13 Europa League matches since defeat away to Fenerbahce in November 2016
Partizan XI: Stojkovic, Pavlovic, Natcho, Tosic, Sadiq, Asano, Zdjelar, Soumah, Ostojic, Urosevic, Miletic
Manchester United XI: Romero, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Jones, Rojo, Williams, Garner, McTominay, Mata, Lingard, Martial
Team news
16:55: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hands teenager James Garner his first Manchester United start in the Europa League clash at Partizan Belgrade.
The 18-year-old is drafted into the midfield on a night when Harry Maguire captains a side that appears to feature a three-man defence once again.
Left-back Brandon Williams makes his second senior start, while Anthony Martial leads the line as Solskjaer makes seven changes to the team that drew with Liverpool.
Unfamiliar…
16:50: Manchester United are winless in their last 11 away matches in all competitions (D4 L7), since winning their opening nine such games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – the Red Devils last went longer without an away victory between March–August 1979 (12), under Dave Sexton.
Twitter reaction
Ed Woodward: I’m sure we will beat Partizan Belgrade, I just agreed to loan Serbian national hero Nemanja Matic to Partizan for the reason of the season absolutely free of charge!
Tim: We’re playing FIVE at the back against Partizan Belgrade FFS. Where’s that attacking, free-flowing Manchester United football again?
Abdullah: Manchester United playing 3-4-1-2 again interestingly. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has to find a way of making the formation look exciting because it does come across as very defensive.
Are you the REAL Ed Woodward? Why do you only have 426 followers?
Famous faces?
16:45: Manager Savo Milosevic says Partizan will have “some really exceptional young players on the pitch” against United tonight, when there will also be some more familiar names available for selection.
Former Liverpool, Hull and Fulham winger Lazar Markovic is part of the squad registered with UEFA, as is ex-Wigan and Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic.
The player subject to the most focus, though, is Zoran Tosic, having made five substitute appearances for United after joining in January 2009.
Well that’s a relief, I’d wondered what Vladimir Stojkovic had been doing with himself. Committed viewer and contributor to the blog, obviously.
Starting XI
16:35: I’d love to keep discussing the sights and scene in Belgrade, but I’ve been rudely interrupted by the team news.
Partizan XI: Stojkovic, Pavlovic, Natcho, Tosic, Sadiq, Asano, Zdjelar, Soumah, Ostojic, Urosevic, Miletic.
Subs: Vujacic, Lazar Pavlovic, Ivanovic, Scekic Brezancic, Filip Stevanovic, Nemanja Stevanovic.
Manchester United XI: Romero, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Jones, Rojo, Williams, Garner, McTominay, Mata, Lingard, Martial.
Subs: Grant, Lindelof, Rashford, Pereira, Fred, James, Greenwood.
Afternoon…
16:30: Hello everyone and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Europa League.
We’re approach the halfway point of the group stages of the longest competition in recorded history.
The first qualifying fixture took place on June 27 and the final will take place in May 2020. I wish you all the best of luck in our journey together.
Anyway, Manchester United are first up today with a tricky trip to Partizan Belgrade.
Belgrade, is known as “the other city that never sleeps” and is famous for Slivovitza, Vampires and Paprika. Lovely.
Partizan vs Man Utd LIVE: Europa League score, goals and updates (Image: GETTY)
PARTIZAN vs MAN UTD – TEAM NEWS
Paul Pogba and David De Gea are among a string of absentees for Manchester United’s Europa League match at Partizan Belgrade.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed goalkeeper De Gea will be available to face Norwich on Sunday but midfielder Pogba continues to miss out with an ankle complaint.
Nemanja Matic, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe have not travelled to Belgrade, but Jesse Lingard is available again.
Youngsters Matej Kovar and Ethan Laird are also in the squad.
Travelling squad: Romero, Grant, Kovar, Jones, Laird, Lindelof, Maguire, Rojo, Wan-Bissaka, Williams, Fred, Garner, James, Lingard, McTominay, Mata, Pereira, Greenwood, Martial, Rashford.