Our prediction for this Europa League match:
After holding Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, Manchester United will look to return to winning ways when they face Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League round 5. The Red Devils have been showing signs of improvement of late, and it is no wonder the bookies see them as hot favourites to beat Sheriff at the “Theatre of Dreams”. Cristiano Ronaldo is a major doubt after he was left out of the squad at the weekend, while Raphael Varane is unlikely to be risked.
The Moldovans, on the other hand, are on a three-game losing run in Group E, and seeing that Man Utd aim to overtake Real Sociedad in top position, home win should be considered. Both Moussa Kyabou and Iyayi Atiemwen are back from suspension, while Armel Zohouri serves a one-game ban.
Highlighted Player (Cristiano Ronaldo):
Cristiano Ronaldo is considered one of the world’s best football players. The Portuguese ace was born on 5 February, 1985 in Funchal, Madeira and he played for the likes of Andorinha, Nacional and Sporting during his youth career. CR7 made his Sporting debut in Primeira Liga on 7 October, 2002, scoring two goals in a 3-0 win over Moreirense.
Manchester United scouts spotted him and one year later he joined the Old Trafford outfit. Ronaldo became the most expensive teenager in the history of the Premier League and he received the number 7 shirt. He quickly established himself as the team’s key player and it has to be noted that he won three consecutive Premier League trophies with the Red Devils (2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009). In 2008 he helped the Old Trafford outfit beat Chelsea in the Champions League final, scoring for Alex Ferguson’s troops in the regular time.
Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009 and he helped the Spanish giants with two Champions League trophies. In 2016 he won the European Championship trophy with Portugal. The Real Madrid ace has two Golden Ball awards (2013, 2014).
Highlighted Team (Sheriff Tiraspol):
Sheriff Tiraspol or simply Sheriff are the most successful Moldavian club. The club was founded in 1997 four years later (2000/2001) they won their first Moldovan National Division trophy. Over the years Sheriff Tiraspol have established themselves as the dominant force in the Moldovan football and you should that they won their 15th domestic trophy in the 2016/2017 season.
Sheriff were level on points with Dacia Chisinau, but thanks to a better goal difference Roberto Bordin’s men won the national championship. The Moldovan champions wear yellow shirts and yellow shorts when playing at home, whilst the colour of their away kits is black. Sheriff Tiraspol host their opponents at Sheriff Stadium in Tiraspol and the venue can hold 12.746 people.
By beating the likes of Dinamo Tirana and Dinamo Zagreb the Moldovan club did well to make it to the Champions League play-off round in the 2010/2011 season, but Basel eventually proved to be a big catch for them.