Manchester United are set to face Sheriff Tiraspol in a Europa League clash on Thursday night. Erik ten Hag's side currently sit second in the group behind Real Sociedad who will be facing Omonia Nicosia, so a win is necessary to keep the team's hopes of topping the group alive.
United beat Sheriff 2-0 in the reverse leg in Moldova, thanks to a goal from Jadon Sancho and a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo. Sheriff will be without their manager Stjepan Tomas after he resigned on Tuesday.
However, as Omonia showed, these teams won't roll over easily and will put up a fight. And Sheriff has form for an upset, having beaten Real Madrid at the Bernabeu during the 2021/22 season.
With that in mind, let's look at three players United need to look out for in their match against Sheriff, to set up a Europa League Group E top-of-the-table clash against Real Sociedad next week:
Sheriff haven't scored many in this Europa League campaign, but Akanbi has been one who has got his name on the scoresheet. The winger has one goal in the Europa League, two in Champions League qualifying and four in the Moldovan league this season.
He could cause United problems if they lose track of him on the pitch.
The Senegalese midfielder also scored against Omonia and could cause United problems in midfield if they do not concentrate. This was a problem that Casemiro and Fred had in their previous match in the Europa League.
The 29-year-old shot-stoppers may have only kept one clean sheet in the Europa League so far, but United fans will know that goalkeepers have form of coming to Old Trafford and putting in the performance of a lifetime.
Omonia keeper Francis Uzoho demonstrated this when United played Omonia, and it could prove problematic if Koval puts in a similar performance at Old Trafford on Thursday night.