Man Utd's probable lineup to face Bayern Munich in Champions League decider

Mission Impossible or The Great Escape? On Tuesday, Manchester United's Champions League fate will be defined by one of those cinematic titles.

Much of this season has been like a horror film for United, but they have the chance to change the course of their season – even if their European fate is ultimately out of their hands. To reach the last 16, United must beat Bayern – who are on a 39-game unbeaten streak in the group stage, stretching back to 2017 – and hope Copenhagen and Galatasaray play out a draw.

Given Bayern's formidable group stage record and the fact their attack will be led by England skipper Harry Kane, with 22 goals from 19 games this season, the odds are stacked heavily against United.

But Old Trafford will be rocking, despite the many miserable performances Erik ten Hag's players have served up this season, with United fans desperate to see their team turn a corner.

United may have been booed off at the end of Saturday's lamentable 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, but ahead of them is a shot at redemption, however remote their chances are of remaining in the Champions League.

Only four times since Sir Alex Ferguson retired a decade ago have United made it out of the Champions League group stage, and they have it all to do to make it five against Bayern. Despite having already qualified as group winners, Thomas Tuchel's side have a point to prove, after Saturday's shock 5-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.

For their part, Ten Hag and his players know they face a huge task, but the manager insisted they are not already staring at a lost cause. Ten Hag said: “Still we have the opportunity. It’s not in our hands anymore, but we want to stay in Europe.

"We definitely know what to do - we have to win to stay in Europe. We're not consistent, that’s clear, but we can have a very good performance and if we get it and are in the right spirit, then we are able to beat any opponent.”

Although United lost 4-3 at Bayern in their opening group game back in September, Ten Hag said he saw enough in that game to give him the belief that his side can win. He said: “There were stages in that game where we played very well.

“It was head to head in that game for a long time. We suffered some mistakes that were absolutely avoidable, but one thing for sure when you play Bayern - you have to play your best.

“They have a good team and very good individual players. But Chelsea also have amazing players and we went head to head with them and dominated them, so I think we can do it against Bayern as well.”

After six defeats at Old Trafford this season, Ten Hag was stretching credulity when he claimed it remains a daunting arena for opponents, particularly for a team with Bayern's huge experience.

But Ten Hag attempted to rally United's fans ahead of the make-or-break game by talking up the intimidatory factor of the Theatre of Dreams. He said: “I think Old Trafford is not a nice place to come for an opponent. But it starts with us.

“As long as I've been here, I've always had the feeling we're absolutely together, that there's a very strong bond between the team and the fans. Even when we have big setbacks, they stay behind us, they support us. But we have to take responsibility. Iit starts with us - we have to energise them.”

Man Utd probable line-up: (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; McTominay, Amrabat; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund