Thomas Tuchel approaches Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich with a cautious eye on Manchester United’s impressive transition game, with particular focus on Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Rasmus Hojlund.
Amid the ongoing drama and concerns, it may be argued that Manchester United’s recent performances are not as dire as they seem. The team came exceptionally close to defeating Arsenal before the international break and demonstrated their attacking potential against Brighton. Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund, forming a new-look front two, exhibited promise during Saturday’s match.
Tuchel, the former Chelsea manager, is not underestimating Manchester United, who enter the game following two consecutive defeats. In a pre-match press conference reported by Bayern and Germany on Twitter, Tuchel emphasized that recent results do not accurately reflect United’s performances. He stressed the need for Bayern Munich to remain alert, facing an opponent with a frontline characterized by agility, speed, and threat.
Tuchel stated, “Their results so far don’t say much about them. You can never be sure in a game against United. When you think you’re in control, they can sit deep and rely on their outstanding transition game, with Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and now Rasmus Hojlund up front. We can never switch off. United is always dangerous and possesses a lot of individual quality.”
Despite a sluggish start to the season, Marcus Rashford’s form has improved, making him a pivotal figure in United’s attack. Rashford is likely to start on the left-wing, while Rasmus Hojlund may earn his first Champions League start at the Allianz Arena.
In Hojlund’s full United debut against Brighton, he narrowly missed scoring a goal. Rashford provided a cross that was deemed to have crossed the line just before Hojlund could capitalize on the opportunity, highlighting the attacking potential of this United duo.