Match Preview - FC Otelul Galati v Manchester United

Competition: Champions League
Kick-Off & Date: 7:45pm, Tuesday, 18th October 2011
Venue: Stadionul National, Bucharest, Romania (Neutral)
Live TV Coverage: Sky Sports 4 (HD), 7pm - 10pm

Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)
Assistant Referees: Thorsten Schiffner & Mark Borsch
Additional Assistant Referees: Christian Dingert & Tobias Welz
Fourth Official: Peter Gagelmann


Form: Otelul Galati are reigning Romanian Liga I Champions, and are currently in 9th position this season. Otelul Galati drew and lost their last two league games, and have failed to tally any points in UEFA Champions League Group C in their matches against FC Basel and SL Benfica. Tuesday's game at the National Stadium - rather than their home ground of Stadionul Otelul - is undoubtedly the biggest match in the club's 47 year history. 

United are now second in the Barclays Premier League, after a 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Saturday thanks to Javier Hernandez' late leveller. The Red Devils started the new season in unbeatable form, and remain without a loss, but have totalled 4 draws within the last 7 games. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have slowed the pace recently, and are 3rd in Group C after unexpected successive draws against SL Benfica and FC Basel away and home. 


The Injury Front: Otelul Galati are in good shape, and manager Dorinel Munteanu has a large squad to select from for Tuesday night's big clash with Manchester United in Romania. Defensive midfielder Adrian Salageanu returns for Galati after serving his suspension, while Cornel Rapa and Gabriel Paraschiv returned from injury last Friday. It is understood that Liviu Antal could be involved, after he was rested in recent fixtures in Romania's domestic league. 

United may rest Patrice Evra after the player asserted that Liverpool forward Luis Suarez racially abused him at Anfield on Saturday in the 1-1 Premier League draw. Rio Ferdinand, Rafael Da Silva and Tom Cleverley were left at home, but many players that were rested over the weekend may get a run out against Otelul Galati. Wayne Rooney is expected to start after his recent ordeal with England and UEFA, while Nemanja Vidic (finally) returns to the starting XI !

Squad: De Gea, Lindegaard, Amos, Smalling, Jones, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Fabio, Valencia, Nani, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Park, Giggs, Young, Rooney, Hernandez, Welbeck, Berbatov, Owen.

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The Gaffer: Dorinel Munteanu has been at the helm of Otelul Galati since 2009, and the former Romanian midfielder has guided the club to a Liga I Championship title and the Supercupa Romaniei. But his greatest achievement comes in the form of getting Otelul Galati into their first European competition...

Most-Feared: Marius Pena is Galati's biggest threat up front, the 26-year-old Romanian striker has scored shy of 20 goals in 90 matches since his move from rivals Concordia Chiajna. Pena has yet to play for Romania, but looks likely to, especially with his dad - the famous George Pena - leading by example... 

The Ref: Felix Byrch is a German football official, with top grades in both FIFA and UEFA. The 36-year-old lawyer by profession was in charge when United met Marseille in the latter stages of the Champions League last season, and his first senior International match involved Romania against Luxembourg... 

United Latest's Prediction: Otelul Galati 0-5 United
- Wayne Rooney hat-trick & Chicharito double ?