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Marseille
Marseille has been resurgent since the beginning of the year and have closed the gap on leaders Lille just three points. Defending Champions League 1 season started poorly as they struggled to adapt to new recruits Loïc Rémy and André-Pierre Gignac. The pair, purchased at a combined price of £ 26 million, struggling to make an impact at first, but took a turn after a tactical switch Deschamps. Gignac error to lead the line forced the manager to move the striker wide and has responded with five goals in as many games. Its objectives have coincided with Marseille best run of form which saw them lose only once since early December
But Marseille's strength lies in the likes of Mathieu Valbuena, Benoît Cheyrou and Lucho González as they forged a formidable central midfield trio. Valbuena has attracted the attention of big clubs across Europewith impressive performances this season and has even been linked with United after receiving the praises of Eric Cantona. The Frenchman partners up well with Lucho Gonzalez who was the star of the team's title triumph last season with powerful performances at the heart of midfield.
Marseille's problem is at the front though where Brandao, Remy and Gignac underperformed at the weekend. Gignac is expected to be out for a few weeks with a groin strain while Remy and Brandao might recover from their ankle injuries in time for the game on Wednesday. Marseille need their best attackers to break open United's stern defence and in their absence, their hopes of defeating the English giants have further diminished.
Manchester United
A much-changed United side struggled past lowly Crawley Town in the FA Cup on Saturday and truth be told were lucky to walk away with the victory. In line with quite a few off-colour performances this season, they lacked the endeavour and verve associated with Manchester United. This season has shone a bright light on the inherent resilience within the club. Here we are at the start of the final third of the season and United are fighting for honours in the three biggest competitions.
The Red Devils have been at their parsimonious best so far this campaign, conceding just one goal during the Group Stage. The consistency offered by the partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic provides a strong platform for the rest of the team to go out and express themselves. Ferguson has had to deal with an untimely injury to Ferdinand, who will be a huge miss in this vital away game in Europe. But the English Captain's loss has been greatly alleviated by the arrival of Chris Smalling. The England youth international had a blinder against Manchester City, blanking out Carlos Tevez with utmost grace and skill. The 21-year old has the natural ability to replace Ferdinand in the long run and along with Jonny Evans could be a part United's central defence for years to come.
Ferguson prefers a 4-5-1 formation for the big games and as was evident for long periods in the game against Manchester City, the side will need to work on the formation in training. Wayne Rooney, his stupendous goal notwithstanding, had an average game and was isolated for too long. The formation works only if runners from midfield, say Anderson or Darren Fletcher, make regular forays into the box. In Dimitar Berbatov's absence, United struggle to hold the ball up field and depend heavily on Nani to pull the central defenders wide, thus opening up spaces for the midfielders to make runs into the box. This brings us to the subject of Nani. The Portuguese has been in inspirational form this season, scoring 10 goals and setting up 13. The winger's rise to prominence is evident from the fact that United have lost only one of the last 47 games in which he has started, the 2-1 loss at Wolves a few weeks back, and the Red half of Manchester will hope he can translate his great domestic form to the pastures of Europe.
Form Guide:
Marseille: WWWDW
19th Feb, 2011: Marseille 2-1 St Etienne
12th Feb, 2011:Sochaux 1-2 Marseille
5th Feb, 2011: Marseille 1-0 Arles
30th Jan, 2011: Monaco 0-0 Marseille
19th Jan, 2011: Auxerre 0-2 Marseille
Manchester United: WWLWW
19th Feb, 2011: Man Utd 1-0 Crawley (FA Cup)
12th Feb, 2011: Man Utd 2-1 Manchester City
5th Feb, 2011: Wolves 2-1 Man Utd
1st Feb, 2011: Man Utd 3-1 Aston Villa
29th Jan, 2011: Southampton 1-2 Man Utd (FA Cup)
Probable Line Ups:
Marseille (4-3-3): Mandanda (Gk), Taiwo, Diawara, M'Bia, Heinze, Cheyrou, Gonzalez, Cisse, Remy, Brandao, Ayew
Didier Deschamps will be forced to make changes to his side in light of the aforementioned injuries. The coaching staff are hopeful that Remy and Brandao can recover from their ankle knocks in time to lead the attack and they are expected to be partnered by André Ayew. Valbuena hasn't played since picking up an injury in January and in his absence, Marseille are expected to flood he midfield with defensive prowess. Benoît Cheyrou has been a mainstay alongside Gonzalez in midfield while Deschamps has the option of choosing between Edouard Cissé and Charles Kabore to complete the three-man midfield. The defence is also packed with physically imposing players with Souleymane Diawara and Stéphane M'Bia competing in central defence while former United full back, Gabriel Heinze should start at left back.
Manchester United (4-5-1): Van der Sar (Gk), Rafael, Vidic, Smalling, Evra, Scholes, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Rooney, Nani
United have no new injury worries going into the game and should start with their strongest available eleven. Ferguson made eight changes to his side for the game against Crawley, hence should have his stars refreshed and rejuvenated for the start of a series of four consecutive away games. Edwin van der Sar will start in goal while Smalling and Vidic will pair up in central defence. Patrice Evra should slot in at left back while Rafael and John O'Shea will fight it out for the right back slot. It remains to be seen if Ferguson goes for pace & energy or calmness & composure in midfield. Possession is invaluable away from home in Europe and this might mean a place in the starting line up for Michael Carrick alongside certain starters Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher. Up front, Ryan Giggs and Nani should play down the wings with Rooney expected to get the nod ahead of Dimitar Berbatov down the centre.
Prediction:
Predicted Scoreline: Marseille 1-2 Manchester United
