Match preview
Manchester United will be looking for their first Europa League victory of the season when they travel to the Zimbru Stadium on Thursday to face Moldovan powerhouse Sheriff Tiraspol.
On matchday one, the Red Devils were defeated 1-0 by Real Sociedad, while their hosts defeated Omonia Nicosia 3-0.
Sheriff Tiraspol recovered from their Champions League qualifying round elimination to easily defeat Omonia last week. They will be looking to prove that their European form is still very much alive after making waves in the Champions League last season when United visit.
Sheriff have not lost in any competition since being eliminated by Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League qualifying round – winning six and drawing two of their eight matches. Currently, their winning streak in all competitions stands at eight matches.
Sheriff and Manchester United have never met in a competitive match before and Thursday’s game will be the hosts’ third against English opposition after losing 2-0 and 2-1 to Christian Eriksen’s Tottenham Hotspur in the 2013-14 Europa League group stage.
Sheriff Tiraspol vs Manchester United form guide
Sheriff’s last 5 games – WDWWW
Sheriff Tiraspol  | 2 – 0 |  FC Milsami |
Omonia Nicosia  | 0 – 3 |  Sheriff Tiraspol |
Dacia Buiucani  | 0 – 2 |  Sheriff Tiraspol |
Sheriff Tiraspol  | 1 – 1 |  CS Petrocub |
Sheriff Tiraspol  | 3 – 2 |  Pyunik Yerevan |
Manchester United’s last 5 games – WWWLD
 Crystal Palace | 0 – 0 |  Man Utd |
 Man Utd | 0 – 1 |  Real Sociedad |
 Man Utd | 3 – 1 |  Arsenal |
 Leicester | 0 – 1 |  Man Utd |
 Southampton | 0 – 1 |  Man Utd |
Sheriff Tiraspol vs Manchester United prediction
Facing a side as unyielding as Sheriff Tiraspol on the defensive front is not a recipe for a goal-laden performance from Man United, but Ten Hag can be expected to recall his big-hitters amid a lack of domestic action, hence we go with the following pickings:
- BTTS – YES @ 2.12
- HT/FT – SHERIFF TIRASPOL/MAN UNITED @ 22.00
- SCORE IN FIRST 30 MIN @ 1.57
