Champions League - Manchester United v Olympiacos Match Preview
Manchester United manager David Moyes could shake up his team
Team news, quotes and facts ahead of the Champions League last-16 second leg between Manchester United and Olympiacos at Old Trafford.
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United manager David Moyes could shake up his team following Sunday's defeat to Liverpool with Nani and Javier Hernandez training again after injuries.The United boss looks as if he will be without defenders Chris Smalling (hamstring) and Jonny Evans (calf), who both missed training on a wet Tuesday morning at the AON Training Complex in Carrington.
Olympiacos coach Michel has to choose between former Argentina forward Javier Saviola, who missed the first leg due to injury and who would make his 100th appearance in European club competition, and Paraguayan Nelson Valdez for the lone attacking role in place of Nigerian striker Michael Olaitan.
Olaitan was kept in hospital for a week following his dramatic collapse during the Athens derby against Panathinaikos on March 2 due to viral myocarditis, but although he has no serious condition he is not yet ready for action. Defensive midfielder Ivan Marcano is also expected to be fit after being rested over the weekend.
MANAGER QUOTES
David Moyes: "The first thing I mentioned to the players is we need to start giving something back. We need to work together to make it a night to be remembered. We will leave nothing behind."
Michel: "We aim to do what we always do and that is concentrate on our own game. We know our opponents very well and we know that 2-0 is not a serious advantage. We need to score to make sure we make it difficult for them as we know that United have a strong desire to turn the tie around."
MATCH FACTS
Manchester Utd have won all four of their Champions League home games against Greek opposition, scoring 15 goals and conceding only one.
Manchester Utd have won 13 of their last 15 Champions League knockout games at Old Trafford (D1 L1).
AC Milan were the last team to stop Manchester Utd from scoring at Old Trafford in the knockout stages of the Champions League, back in February 2005.
Manchester Utd have won their three home games in the Champions League this season.
Olympiakos have lost all seven of their Champions League games in England, conceding at least two goals every time and never scoring more than one.
In seven knockout Champions League games, Olympiakos have only lost once by more than one clear goal. It was against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in March 2008 (0-3).
Olympiakos hadn’t reached the knockout stages of the Champions League since 2009/10 when they were eventually knocked out by Bordeaux in the last 16.
Olympiakos have the chance to reach the quarter finals of the Champions League for the first time since 1998/99.
This is the 16th time in the last 18 seasons that Manchester Utd have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League. The last time they went past the last 16 though was back in 2010/11 (beaten finalists v Barcelona).
Ryan Giggs (139 games) is only three games short of equalling Raul’s record of 142 appearances in the Champions League.