The 2023/24 Champions League campaign begins for Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The record German champions host Manchester United in the first group game. Die Roten will look to lay down the marker in the competition by delivering a statement performance against the Red Devils.
Bayern are currently enjoying a good run of form in the Bundesliga. They have collected ten points from their first four Bundesliga games. Tuchel’s men are looking settled and slowly improving in several areas. The next target will be delivering a strong performance against a European side.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have endured a torrid start to the Premier League campaign. They have suffered three defeats in the first five league games until now. Erik ten Hag’s men desperately need a good performance and result on Wednesday to kick-start their campaign.
Ahead of the blockbuster clash between two European giants on Wednesday, let us try to predict the starting XI that Tuchel may use against the Red Devils.
Team News
Kingsley Coman has recovered from a minor muscular problem to be fit for the clash against Manchester United. The French winger will be part of the squad on Wednesday. Raphael Guerreiro has started training with the squad, but this game is too soon for the Portuguese defender.
Jamal Musiala is fit enough to start the game on Wednesday. The attacking midfielder made his return to action against Bayer Leverkusen from the bench after a layoff of three weeks due to injury. Joshua Kimmich is expected to play longer than he did against Leverkusen as he gets closer to full fitness. Manuel Neuer continues to work hard on his return. The German goalkeeper will be hoping to play the second leg against Manchester United later this year.
Predicted Starting XI
Sven Ulreich will continue in the goal for Bayern on Wednesday. It will be a big test for the German goalkeeper as he will come up against a quality opposition. Ulreich has done fairly well to fill in for Neuer. A clean sheet on Wednesday for Ulreich will further vindicate Bayern’s decision to keep faith in him.
Konrad Laimer seems to have got the edge over Noussair Mazraoui in the right-back position after two good performances against Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen. The Austrian will get the nod for this role against Manchester United. Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae will form the center-back partnership, while Alphonso Davies will slot in the left-back position.
Joshua Kimmich has enjoyed a decent start to the campaign. The German international remains convinced that he is a number six. A good performance against Manchester United will help Kimmich to further strengthen his case. Leon Goretzka is expected to sit next to Kimmich in the midfield pivot.
Jamal Musiala is the first choice number ten for Bayern, so he is expected to start against the Red Devils. Leroy Sane has cemented his place on the right flank after a solid start to the season. Serge Gnabry will operate from the left flank, with Harry Kane leading the attack against the Premier League side.
"UlreichLaimer-Upamecano-KMJ-DaviesKimmich-GoretzkaSane-Musiala-GnabryKane"
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Score Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-1 Manchester United
Bayern are firm favourites for this game due to their outstanding record at home in the group stage, and they are in better form than the Red Devils. I am backing Bayern to clinch a comfortable victory, but Man United will stop them from keeping a clean sheet by scoring a consolation.