Champions League Preview: Manchester United - Shakhtar Donetsk - 7M sport

Champions League Preview: Manchester United - Shakhtar Donetsk



Posted Tuesday, December 10, 2013 by YAHOO Sport

David Moyes is eager to lift the gloom at Manchester United by beating Shakhtar Donetsk to finish as Champions League Group A winners on Tuesday.

United is 13 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal after suffering consecutive 1-0 defeats against Everton and Newcastle at Old Trafford.

Shakhtar will be looking to consign the Red Devils to a third home loss to be certain of booking their place in the knockout stage.

United has already qualified, courtesy of their 5-0 demolition of Bayer Leverkusen in November, but the second-placed Ukrainians need to match or better Leverkusen's result at Real Sociedad in order to progress.

Moyes has come in for criticism because of United's disappointing domestic form, but they are unbeaten in Europe and only need a point to finish top of the group.

"It's important we give ourselves every chance of progressing even further in the Champions League by finishing top," Moyes said. "It won't make it easier, but it will give us a little bit of an advantage by having the second game [in the last 16] at home.

"We will do everything we can to be top and, as well as that, we're unbeaten in the group and want to stay unbeaten if we can make that happen."

Striker Wayne Rooney will be available after serving a one-match domestic ban, but midfielder Michael Carrick (Achilles) is definitely out and Moyes hinted that he will make changes to his starting lineup.

"We have qualified, so it gives me a chance to have a look at that," he said.

Mircea Lucescu's side comes into the game on the back of four consecutive wins in all competitions.

A 4-0 hammering of Real Sociedad last time out in the Champions League lifted the Ukranians above Leverkusen and they can take heart from the fact that they drew 1-1 with United in October.

Lucescu has no injury concerns to contend with for the crunch clash at Old Trafford, while Brazilian forward Luiz Adriano has scored in each of his last three outings.



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