Manchester United v Sheriff predictions: Red Devils can shut out Moldovans

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Manchester United v Sheriff in the Europa League on Thursday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 8pm

Best bet

Manchester United to win 2-0
0.5pts 9-2 general

Manchester United to win 3-0
0.5pts 9-2 general

Team news

Manchester United
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek are fit and training. Raphael Varane is out. Cristiano Ronaldo is available again.

Sheriff
Centre-back Armel Zahouri is suspended. Moussa Kyabou and Iyayi Atiemwen return from bans.

Match preview

Punters should back Erik ten Hag's improving Manchester United to run FC Sheriff out of town with the minimum of fuss in the Europa League.

Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to saddle up once again after making peace with his boss. Regardless of whether or not he gets the nod to start against the Moldovans, United should have way too much firepower for opponents who cannot qualify for the knockout stages.

There are few, if any, pro-United prices to rejoice about but it may be worth chucking an arrow at a couple of low-scoring home wins in the correct-score market because Sheriff look unlikely to roll over easily.

They are flying high in Moldova's top division and that is now their focus after a difficult Group E campaign in which they have picked up one win – in Nicosia against Omonia – and been beaten to nil three times, twice by Real Sociedad and once by United.

Two of those losses were 2-0 and the other one was 3-0, which again look like reasonable correct-score bets at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag needs to rotate his side and he will surely make changes. United wilted during the second half in Saturday night's 1-1 draw at Chelsea and their workload is pretty intense but if he drafts in players of the calibre of Tyrell Malacia, Fred and Anthony Elanga, the Dutchman ought to be confident.

United need to win to take the battle for top spot down to a final match shootout with Real Sociedad.

As for Sheriff, they can still finish third and shift interest to the Conference League, which is a carrot of sorts, but Stjepan Tomas's side have looked capable but limited in this term's Europa League.

Key stat

Sheriff have failed to score in seven of 12 European ties this season.

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