Blog do Flávio Ramalho: Manchester United vs Midtjylland: 11 things you need to know ahead of the Europa League clash

The Red Devils have work to do to overturn a first-leg deficit when they welcome the Danish side to Old Trafford

For many, Manchester United's defeat to Midtjylland last week was a new low.

Sure, this has been a season of doom and gloom for the Red Devils, but their display in Denmark was even more limp than the performances that preceded it.

Despite taking the lead through Memphis Depay, United's shoddy defending allowed Jess Thorup's men to establish a first-leg advantage in the Europa League last-32 tie.

Now, United welcome Midtjylland to Old Trafford, hoping to redeem themselves.

Will they manage that, or will it be more heartache for Louis van Gaal?

1. When is the match and where can I see it?

This is one of the later set of Europa League games, meaning it kicks off at 8.05pm on Thursday night. It's being broadcast live on BT Sport 2.

Mirror Football will be running a LIVE blog so you can keep up with proceedings if you can't get near a television.

2. Man United team news

Van Gaal has been handed a boost with the return of Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia to training. Defender Rojo has been absent with a dislocated shoulder, while Valencia has been crocked since October due to a foot problem.

But Van Gaal is still without a large chunk of his first-team squad. Chris Smalling, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, David de Gea, Matteo Darmian, Wayne Rooney, Marouane Fellaini, Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sam Johnstone, Will Keane and Luke Shaw were all missing from this Tuesday's training session.

3. Predicted sides

Man United:

Midtjylland: Andersen, Romer, Bodurov, Hansen, Novak, Sparv, Kadlec, Olsson, Hassan, Sisto, Onuachu

4. Reasons for United fans to be optimistic

There were some signs of life against Shrewsbury, with Juan Mata leading the way.
The Red Devils cannot play any worse than they did in Denmark... surely?
Midtjylland have not won away from home since October
5. Reasons for Midtjylland fans to be optimistic
- They are facing a side ravaged by injuries, with key players missing all over the field.
- The Danes showed enough in the first leg to know they can trouble this United defence.
- If the game remains goalless for the first half, United might struggle with the pressure in front of their own fans.
6. Last meeting

United side took the lead through Depay, with eight minutes to go in the first half, before Pione Sisto's superb run and strike put Midtylland level.

And there was more misery with 13 minutes to go as Paul Onuachu gave the Danish side the edge going into the return leg at Old Trafford - and heap more misery on Van Gaal's side.

Recall the first leg here.
7. Recent form

Man United – last five games
- Shrewsbury 0-3 Man United (FA Cup)
- Midtylland 2-1 Man United (Europa League)
- Sunderland 2-1 Man United (Premier League)
- Chelsea 1-1 Man United (Premier League)
- Man United 3-0 Stoke (Premier League)
Midtylland – Last five games
- Midtylland 2-1 Man United (Europa League)
- Midtylland 4-2 Horsens (Friendly)
- Malmo 1-1 Midtylland (Friendly)
- Midtylland 2-2 Goteburg (Friendly)
- Midtylland 0-0 AIK (Friendly)
8. United's key man

Reuters / Andrew Yates

Stepping up: Mata will be crucial to United's chances

With Wayne Rooney sidelined, much of the creative responsibility falls on the shoulders of Juan Mata.

This has not been a vintage season for the Spanish schemer, who, like so many of his team-mates, has struggled to make an impression in Van Gaal's prosaic system.

Yet there have been signs of life recently: he netted a glorious free-kick against Shrewsbury and has been involved in much of United's best play in recent weeks. If he is on song on Thursday, United will stand a decent chance of progressing

9. Midtylland's key man

Getty

Danger man: Sisto punished United in the first leg

Having stamped his authority on the first leg, Pione Sisto will be looking to fire the Danes into the last 16 at Old Trafford.

The Ugandan-born attacker attracted plenty of interest from bigger European clubs in the January transfer window, but opted to remain with Midtjylland for the rest of the season.

But his display last week – all busy runs and neat footwork – suggests that he will make a step up to one of the continent's top league's sooner or later.

10. Betting odds

Man United 2/9, draw 53/10, Midtjylland 14/1 (odds collected from Unibet)

11. Quote corner

Reuters / Andrew Yates

Fighting chance: Van Gaal says United are still alive in three competitions

Louis van Gaal: “Still everything is possible. We are still in three competitions, so we have to fight for a lot of chances.

“It is easy to pick a team for Midtjylland because I don’t have many choices. In my opinion it is a big game because the winners qualify for the Champions League next season, but we have to win a lot of matches, so it is not so easy. It is easy to say it, but doing it is difficult.

“But it is possible and then we will see and come March we will have a lot of players back. So then we will have a full selection and with our full selection, we were first in the Premier League.”