Partizan Belgrade vs Man Utd preview, predictions & possible XIs

Manchester United head to Belgrade on Thursday night for a fixture that could have a bearing on who tops Group L in the Europa League.

Partizan currently sit top on four points and could pull further away from second-placed United with a victory.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have scored just once across their two games so far, but they are also yet to concede, which points towards a tight contest.

Read on for our preview, predictions, team news, key men, TV info and more.

When is Partizan Belgrade v Man Utd and where can I watch live?

Competition: Europa League

Venue: Partizan Stadium

Date: Thursday, 24 October 2019

Kick-off: 5:55 PM BST

TV coverage (UK): BT Sport 2

Past meetings: Partizan Belgrade vs Man Utd

20 April 1966: Man Utd 1-0 Partizan Belgrade (European Cup)

13 April 1966: Partizan Belgrade 2-0 Man Utd (European Cup)

Aggregate Score: Partizan (LW) 2-1 Man Utd (WL)

Ones to watch

Partizan Belgrade: Umar Sadiq

Umar Sadiq will provide the biggest threat to United’s chances of keeping a third successive clean sheet in this competition. The Nigeria Under-23 international is Partizan’s top scorer across all competitions so far this season, and he has scored two goals in two Europa League appearances. Having failed to register at the weekend, he will be eager to get back on form in front of goal this coming Thursday.

Key stat: Sadiq has scored eight goals in 17 appearances across all competitions this term.

Man Utd: Mason Greenwood

Mason Greenwood remains United’s only goalscorer in European competition so far this year. The teenager returned from injury to make the bench for Sunday’s draw with Liverpool but didn’t get on the pitch, so he’ll be determined to make his mark in the Europa League once again. His combination of pace and precision could see Partizan give him some rough treatment, but Greenwood has the talent to make an impact.

Key stat: Against Astana on matchday one, Greenwood became the first player born in the 2000s to score for United.

Team news

Partizan Belgrade

Partizan boss Savo Milosevic may be tempted to tinker with his line-up after the weekend defeat to Mladost Lucani in the Serbian Super League. Former Liverpool midfielder Lazar Markovic is the only long-term injury absentee – he isn’t expected to return until the new year.

Predicted XI: Stevanovic; Ostojic, Miletic, Urosevic, Pavlovic; Natsco, Tosic, Scekic, Zdjelar; Asano, Sadiq.

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Man Utd

Paul Pogba remains sidelined with an ankle problem, while Luke Shaw and Nemanja Matic have both been sent to undergo rehab in Dubai. Diogo Dalot and Jesse Lingard missed the draw with Liverpool and are doubts for Thursday.

Predicted XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Jones, Rojo, Williams; Fred, McTominay; James, Mata, Gomes; Greenwood.

Squawka prediction

Partizan have played their last two European games behind closed doors because of a racism charge. Provided their fans behave, home advantage could see them get a positive result here, though United will be keen to at least stay on level points with their opponents. An entertaining score draw may well be on the cards.

Scoreline prediction: Partizan Belgrade 2-2 Man Utd