Match Today: Manchester United vs Omonia Nicosia 13-10-2022 UEFA Europa League

Manchester United will seek to stay within striking distance of Real Sociedad in Group E when they face Omonia Nicosia on Thursday.

The second half of the Europa League group stage kicks off this week, with all teams playing the field on Thursday. Manchester United will seek to remain in contention for an automated platform in the knockout stages when they host Omonia Nicosia at Old Trafford.

Manchester United started the 2022/23 Europa League in the worst possible way, losing 1-0 at home to Real Sociedad.

But consecutive victories helped the Red Devils climb to second place in the standings of Group E. Their overall form has been decent enough, having lost only two of their last nine matches. On the other hand, Omonia Nicosia is likely to finish the 2022/23 Europa League as the men of Group E have lost.

Neil Lennon's men all three matches so far, although they put in a good fight in two matches. The Cypriot side's home chances weren't much better either, winning three and losing three of their six matches so far.

The opposite match witnessed the return of Manchester United from behind to beat Omonia 2-1 at the GSP Stadium.

The tough tackle takes a closer look at the standoff before the two sides' final meeting. Eric ten Hag has a fresh injury that hampers his preparations ahead of Omonia Nicosia visit. The Manchester United coach will be without six first-team players on Thursday.

Anthony Martial sustained a thigh injury in the first half against Everton and will not be available on Thursday Harry Maguire is another key absentee from Manchester United, as the Englishman has recovered from a hamstring injury. Other players on the sidelines are Axel Tuanzebe, Brandon Williams, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Donny van de Beek .

Raphael Varane was fit enough to make the tour line-up against Everton last weekend. And the Frenchman must return to the starting line-up to replace Lisandro Martinez, the Argentine international is one reservation away from a one-match suspension, so Ten Hag may match the Real Sociedad match.

Unlike his counterpart at Manchester United, Neil Lennon will not have any roster issues to deal with ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. On Thursday the Omonia Nicosia coach will have a full strength squad at his disposal. The only concern is the suspension tightrope that Adam Lang walks on. But Lang will retain his place at Omonia starting at 11, unlike Lisandro Martinez at Manchester United. The Hungary international will join Nemanja Miletek and Hector Yusti in central defence.

Manchester United lost their last two home matches in Europe against Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad. The Red Devils are unbeaten three times in a row at Old Trafford in the European competition, knocking out on Thursday their 198th game.

No Cypriot team has ever defeated an English team in Europe as these matches produced a total of 27 goals for English teams per game Thursday's match will be the third for Omonia Nicosia, having lost the previous two games to Arsenal 1994/95 and Manchester City 2008/09 .

Omonia Nicosia has not won in 17 away matches in major European competitions and has won only two of 36 games in total at this level, beating Rabat Ajax in 1985 and Shamrock Rovers in 1987.

Cristiano Ronaldo tried eight shots in the reverse game but failed to score, which is his biggest attempt without scoring in a European confrontation since November 2019 for Juventus against Lokomotiv Moscow also since his debut in Europe with Manchester United in February 2016