Manchester United host Romanians CFR Cluj for the final round of Champions League group stage matches. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have already qualified for the knock-out stages as group winners but Ioan Andone's men are fighting Turkish side Galatasaray for the second spot in the next round. The Turks and the Romanians have seven points each but the former have a better head-to-head record, meaning Cluj need Portuguese side Braga to either hold the Turks to a draw or beat them, at home.

CFR Cluj v Manchester United
Reuters

The reverse fixture between these two teams ended in a 2-1 win for the Red Devils, with a brace from summer signing Robin van Persie.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 7.45 pm GMT and live coverage is on Sky Sports 4.

Overview

United come into the game on the back of a 3-4 defeat of Reading, at the Madejski Stadium, in a Premier League game. An absolutely chaotic opening half saw all seven goals scored amid a display of some poor defending from both sides and Ferguson lost no time in criticising his back line. Expect the Premier League leaders to be far tighter at the back for this game, even if it is a dead rubber for them.

The problem of conceding first remains though. The club has gone behind first in 14 of 22 games this season. In most cases, like the weekend game, they have managed to turn the result around... but it is only a matter of time before the law of averages catches up with them. The return of captain Nemanja Vidic will likely boost the defence.

In Europe the results, defensively, have been slightly better, with only five conceded in five games so far. The last game, however, was a defeat - a 1-0 loss in Turkey.

CFR Cluj
Reuters

The Romanians are struggling domestically, with only 29 points from 18 games so far in the season. League leaders Steaua Bucuresti are 15 points ahead. The good news for Andone is only five points separate his side from FC Vaslui in third, the final European competition spot for Romanian football.

In the last round of domestic results, Cluj were held to a 1-1 draw at Gaz Metan Medias, while they ran out comfortable and authoritative 3-1 winners at home in their last Champions League match, against Braga.

Team Form

Manchester United

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W W W L L
  • Last Match: Reading 3 - 4 Manchester United

CFR Cluj

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): D W W W L
  • Last Match: Gaz Metan Mediaș 1 - 1 CFR Cluj
Manchester United
Reuters

Team News

Youngsters Nick Powell and Alexander Buttner and squad players Danny Welbeck and Chris Smalling are all expected to start for the Red Devils as Sir Alex Ferguson rotates his players. The club has the far more important Manchester derby this weekend, with only three points separating the cross-town rivals.

Unfortunately for the Scot there are also a number of injury worries, with Brazilian midfielder Anderson, Japanese playmaker Shinji Kagawa, Portuguese winger Nani, Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia and Vidic all likely to be unavailable.

This means 39 year old Ryan Giggs will probably be the main man in midfield. Lead strikers Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney will probably be benched for this game and players like Welbeck and Javier Hernandez given a chance to shine.

Probable Line-Up: Lindegaard; Rafael, Smalling, Jones, Buttner; Cleverly, Giggs, Fletcher, Young; Welbeck, Hernandes

Cluj will be without Bakary Sare and striker Ronny but otherwise have a full squad to choose from, as they look to trump Galatasaray for a place in the knock-out rounds.

Probable Line-Up: Felgueiras; Pinto, Maftei, Cadu, Sepsi; Bastos, Camora, Muresan, Sougou; Pedro, Kapetanos

Manchester United FC Wayne Rooney