The Red Devils face difficult task in Mestalla

Manchester United face a difficult tie away to Valencia in the intimidating Mestalla stadium without the experience of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs & Gary Neville or the (potential) explosiveness of Wayne Rooney. In truth, Wazza’s enforced absence through injury might turn out to be a blessing in disguise. He has looked well below his form from last season and hasn’t looked sharp at all.Michael Owen on the other hand has looked very sharp and very eager to prove himself, having scored twice against Scunthorpe in the Carling Cup and once in the league – Sunday’s equalizer against Bolton.

Unfortunately, I can’t see Sir Alex starting an away tie in Europe with a 4-4-2 formation, so it will mean a drop to the bench for Owen once again. Fergie is likely to play 4-5-1 and I can see him playing Park on the left with Nani on the right, although I would personally prefer Fergie to take a small gamble and utilize Chicharito’s pace on the right, which he did against Scunthorpe.

Darren Fletcher has already highlighted the importance of keeping possession tonight, so with that in mind, I predict we will see Carrick and Anderson partnering him in midfield, even though both have seen little playing time.

Juan Mata is likely to be Valencia’s star player and his pace, as well as trickery will likely be too much for Wes brown or John O’Shea to handle, so I would like to see Rafael be utilized, but Fergie seems to still be punishing him for the CL exit to Bayern. Unfortunately, I believe Sir Alex will choose experience and in this case hope to Wes Brown who is still better than the John O’Shea, who has not been been below par this season.

Mata is a great talent, who plays mostly as a left winger and this week has shared that Ryan Giggs was one of his football idols.

“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always liked and admired Ryan Giggs because of his technical characteristics and because I think he is, and has been, one of the best wingers in the European game,” Mata said. “His absence will be important, especially with the experience he brings to matches.”

This will be a difficult game and as much as I hate to say it, I would be quite satisfied with a draw. Losing would leave Valencia 6 points and United with only 1 point in the group, so as long as we avoid a defeat, we’re in good shape. Winning would be a fantastic result given the form United are in and the injuries have sustained. Scary to think that Scholes and Giggs could reire at the end of the season. What then?

This is the team I predict we will see:

This is the team I hope we’ll see

Quick Facts:

• United have won only once on Spanish soil in 18 previous attempts
• Valencia are currently top of La Liga, with 13 points from 15, only dropping points in a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid a week ago
• Ever Banega and Vicente Rodriguez are likely to miss the match as a result of respective ankle and hamstring injuries.
• Valencia winger Joaquin (thigh) is set to miss out for the Spaniards, while Alejandro Dominguez (hip) is rated as doubtful.
• United will be missing: Scholes (calf, 10 days), Giggs (hamstring, a few weeks), Rooney (ankle, 3 weeks) and Antonio Valencia (ankle/leg 7months)
  
• English sides have scored just five goals in eight Champions League trips to Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium
• United face Valencia in the Mestalla tonight having never won in their previous 3 visits, only scoring one goal in a 2-1 defeat in 1982
• Three of United’s previous six meetings with Valencia have ended goalless, including the last two games at the Mestalla

Snippets from Sir Alex Ferguson’s pre-match conference: