After a disappointing loss to rivals Manchester City in the Premier League at the weekend, Manchester United will turn their attentions to the Europa League as they travel to Cyprus to face off against Omonia Nicosia in their third group stage match of the competition.
Erik ten Hag's side were disappointing against City in the derby and were well-beaten by the reigning champions. However, it is important to remember that, prior to the defeat at the Etihad, United had won their previous four Premier League matches, and had recorded victories over Liverpool and Arsenal.
The Reds have made a mixed start to life in Europe this term, losing their first Europa League clash against Real Sociedad, before beating Sheriff prior to the international break.
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United, who had not been in the Europa League since 2019 prior to this season, will be desperate to go far in the tournament this season, and will currently be viewed as one of the favourites to lift the trophy. After clashing with Cypriot outfit Omonia on Thursday night, the Reds will have a much better idea as to where they sit in Group E.
With a game against Everton on Sunday night, Ten Hag is likely to make a number of changes from the side that lost to Pep Guardiola's team on Sunday, providing several players with valuable game-time. With that in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at five players who will be hoping to impress if given the chance in Cyprus:
Martin Dubravka
The shot-stopper, who joined United on loan from Premier League rivals Newcastle United on transfer deadline day, is yet to make an appearance for the Reds. He recently had to pull out of the Slovakia squad because of injury, but he could be set to feature for Ten Hag's side for the first time against Omonia.
After being dislodged as Newcastle's first-choice goalkeeper over the summer following the signing of Nick Pope from Burnley, Dubvraka, who was brought in as cover for David de Gea, will be desperate to get some minutes under his belt in the Europa League. Should he play on Thursday night, the 33-year-old has the chance to solidify his position as United's second-choice shot-stopper, and could tempt the Reds boss to make him their cup goalkeeper moving forward.
Victor Lindelof
Lindelof made his second appearance of the season when he came on to replace Raphael Varane in the derby defeat, which did come as a surprise to some people given club captain Harry Maguire was sat on the bench, albeit having just recovered from a knock.
If the Swedish defender is now viewed as United's third-choice centre-back behind Lisandro Martinez and Varane, then he has the perfect opportunity to put himself further above Maguire in the pecking order should he feature in the Europa League clash. The 28-year-old was sidelined with an injury earlier in the campaign, but the match in Cyprus could allow him to regain the form he showed on a few occasions last term.
Luke Shaw
Like a few of his teammates, Shaw was dropped from Ten Hag's first choice line-up following the events that unfolded at Brentford - and he has not started in the Premier League since.
The 27-year-old is expected to start for United against Omonia and can show the Reds boss why he remains his country's first-choice left-back. It has not been the start to the campaign that Shaw will have been hoping for, but he has to ensure his keeps pushing Tyrell Malacia.
Anthony Martial
The Frenchman returned from injury to score a brace against City off the bench on Sunday afternoon, and looked bright in his short cameo at the Etihad. After enjoying an impressive pre-season campaign, Martial's injury was a set-back for both the player and the club, especially given the situation concerning Cristiano Ronaldo.
If the former Monaco man starts on Thursday night, or even if he comes off the bench, it is important that he tries to get himself on the scoresheet in order to put pressure on United's current attacking trio of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho. With a number of games coming up this month, Martial is bound to get plenty of game time.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo was disappointed to be left among the substitutes during the 6-3 defeat to City, and Ten Hag admitted that the Portuguese international is 'p***** off' when he's not playing. The 37-year-old, who scored his only goal of the campaign so far against Sheriff in the Europa League, might have to settle for being a bit-part player at least until January.
The Real Madrid legend is obsessed with scoring goals, and the match against Omonia might provide him with a great opportunity to do exactly that. His personal standards will never drop, he might just have to show that in Europe, rather than in the Premier League.
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