Yahoo News Manchester United vs FC Copenhagen, Europa League: What time is kick-off, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?
What is it?
The quarter-final of the Europa League, European football's, ahem, second tier competition, which United won back in 2017. Chelsea are the current champions. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic this season's knockout stages have been truncated into single-leg quarter-finals and semi-finals.
When is it?
Tonight, Monday 10 August. This is the second set of matches since the Europa League restarted. United beat LASK 7-1 on aggregate last week, while Copenhagen overcame a first-leg deficit to beat İstanbul Başakşehir 3-1.
What time is kick-off?
The match is being played on neutral territory in Cologne, Germany. Kick-off is at 8pm UK time, which is 9pm local time.
What TV channel is it on?
BT Sport have the rights to show the remainder of the Europa League and the Champions League. Coverage starts on BT Sport 1 at 7pm. The match is also available to live stream through the BT Sport app. Tonight's other other quarter-final is between Inter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen. That one is live on BT Sport 2 from 7.45pm.
We're live blogging the United game here tonight. Bookmark this page and return later.
What's at stake?
A place in the last four, and, for the team who wins the Europa League outright, a place in next season's Champions League too (if they've not already qualified via their domestic competition).
The winners of this match will play either Wolves or Sevilla in a one-legged semi-final on Sunday 16 August, with the final taking place in Cologne (the venue for tonight's match) on August 21.
There are also bragging rights at stake between two former team-mates. Copenhagen's manager, Stale Solbakken, played alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the Norwegian national team.
What is the team news?
For the Manchester United manager, the key decision could be who to play in goal. Sergio Romero has been used as the cup keeper for most of the season (and played in goal when United won the Europa League final in 2017). However, Solskjaer has strongly suggested that he will field his strongest team for the closing stages of this year's competition, which could mean a recall for David de Gea.
Brandon Williams will start in the absence of the injured Luke Shaw. Defenders Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe have also been ruled out. Midfielders James Garner and Ethan Galbraith both flew with the team to Germany though.
The Copenhagen team is set to feature Guillermo Varela, a Uruguay international who made 11 appearances for United after joining from Penarol in 2013. Copenhagen captain Zeca is a self-confessed Manchester United supporter.
What are Telegraph writers saying?
In his preview of tonight's game, James Ducker says he expects Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford to continue to inspire each other.
If Astana did not get much in the way of a warning about Greenwood’s considerable talents, Copenhagen will have had plenty as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer prepares to restore his first choice attack to the starting XI for Monday night’s Europa League quarter-final against the Danish club in Cologne.
Certainly until the late introduction of Anthony Martial, United looked pretty toothless in attack during last week’s tepid 2-1 win over LASK. But Greenwood, Rashford and Martial should give United a far greater cutting edge. Between them, they have scored 62 goals this season and Solskjaer believes they are egging each other on.
What are the odds?
Manchester United to win: 5/19
Draw: 31/5
FC Copenhagen to win: 14/1
What is our prediction?
United are the favourites to win this competition overall for a reason. With a host of players returning to the side after a second-string team smashed LASK, they should have far too much for the second best team in Denmark.
Prediction: 3-0.
