Not only because we just need a win in general considering our position as a club but we need one because in three games in Europe, we have none.

All three previous matches ended in draws giving us just the 3 points in the new format Europa League.

It's a bit of a reality bite after incoming manager Ruben Amorim and his current side Sporting Lisbon put on a second half masterclass against rivals City in the Champions League as they defeated the Cityzens 4-1 making us all feel giddy to a point where we're definitely winning the World Cup.

But back down to earth as Ruud van Nistelrooy takes charge of his third game as interim manager and first in this competition. Let's hope it goes the same way as his first game which was a 5-2 thumping of Leicester in another cup competition: the Carabao Cup.

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Predicted Lineup

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As you can see, I'm expecting many changes. We've also seen a few players return from injury as they were part of training. Leny Yoro, Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans, Mason Mount and even Tyrell Malacia were all pictured with their team-mates ahead of this important clash.

I don't think all will be able to play (even some minutes) but I do expect to see Evans come in at centre-back along with Lindelof as they replace Martinez and De Ligt. Further changes sees Altay Bayindir come in for Onana while youngster Harry Amass gets his first run out in the first team. Dalot remains at right-back.

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Both Ugarte and Casemiro to keep their places in midfield with the aforementioned Eriksen making a return to the lineup. He takes over from Bruno as number 10.

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Zirkzee comes in for Hojlund as striker with Rashford moving to his preferred left-wing ahead of Garnacho with Amad starting on the right.

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I think it's about time we see some minutes (and performances) from some of these players.

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Approach

We will be the team dominating the game. We should be seeing United with more possession but it's about where on the field and how we use it. No point having all of the ball but not knowing what to do with it.

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Under Ruud, we haven't seen much difference to how we play compared to when Erik ten Hag was in charge. Both games against Leicester and Chelsea was more of the same from United with the only difference being we took our chances, at least in the Leiecester win.

United are a very decent team when it comes to transitions and counter-attacks as it is when we create a lot of our chances. It's very rare that we create anything because of good pieces of football and well worked plays.

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Ruud was talking about how he isn't concerned about the lack of goals because United do create the chances. He's right, we do but we are quite wasteful which is a concern, at least in my opinion.

We should've scored more goals in the Europa League and Premier League as it is part of the reason as to why we find ourselves in this difficult predicament. To only score 1 goal at home against Twente in the first match of this competition is criminal.

We also don't create enough for the striker, another area of our game that is seriously lacking. Between our two centre-forwards, Hojlund and Zirkzee have just the 3 goals in 25 games between them this season.

Not a great return at all.

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But this is more on the team not creating those opportunities for them rather than them simply being useless up front.

I believe that if we do create those chances, they will score and tonight is all about that. This is why players like Eriksen and Amad will be key because compared to the likes of Bruno and Garnacho/Rashford in those positions, Eriksen and Amad actually pass the ball and look to keep things simple while also trying to create.

Eriksen has 2 goals and 2 assists in this competition so he is definitely a player to watch out for. A lot of our attacks will have to go through him.

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Form

Three games, three draws, 5 goals scored, 5 conceded, 0 goal difference. We've only played the one game at home which was the 1-1 draw against Twente in the opening match.

Absolutely pathetic.

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But when looking at the last five games in all comps, the form is consistently inconsistent.

One win (Brentford), one draw (Fenerbahce), one loss (West Ham). One win (Leicester), one draw (Chelsea), and so from this form, does it mean that PAOK will get an unlikely victory at Old Trafford? 👀

United are also 22nd in the table thanks to this poor form. A win tonight will see us move to 10th pending other results.

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PAOK

Tbh, I don't know much about them other than they're from Greece and have Shola Shoretire in their team. He used to play for United.

The Greeks are even further down the table than United as they lie in 30th place (yes, that's how big this competition is). They've only gotten the 1 point from their three matches as they lost their opening two while drawing at Plzen last time out.

They've scored 3 goals while conceding 6 in that time.

The opportunity is there for United.

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Prediction

Honestly, this should be a formality for us. 3-0 is my score line and I expect to see that rotation and hope to see some good performances as well. Whoever Ruud selects should be good enough to get a comfortable victory. If not, then we have some serious problems.

This game has the makings of one that can boost everyone's confidence as pick up a good win, we feel a lot better and keep some of the momentum we've built over the last two games.

And of course, to finally get going in this competition.

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What's your prediction for Ruud's first game in the Europa League?

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Background Image: Casemiro | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)