Manchester United vs Istanbul Basaksehir F.K. Preview: How to watch, kick-off time, team news, predicted line-ups and ones to watch

After the international break and United's 1-0 win at the weekend against West Bromwich Albion, the Red Devils return to Champions League action.

Manchester United vs Istanbul Basaksehir F.K. Preview: How to watch, kick-off time, team news, predicted line-ups and ones to watch
Manchester United's English forward Marcus Rashford runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match group H, between Istanbul Basaksehir FK and Manchester United, on November 4, 2020, at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim stadium in Istanbul. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)
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By Ashley Edwards

Manchester United will be hoping for a different result this time around against Istanbul Basaksehir after losing 2-1 to the Turkish side last time out in the UEFA Champions League.

United still currently top the group with six points alongside RB Leipzig who are on the same amount of points but have a minus two goal difference, with five of their six goals conceded coming against the Red Devils. 

Basaksehir and Paris Saint Germain both have three points with Ole Gunnar Solskjær's men also beating the French side in Paris, 2-1, thanks to a late Marcus Rashford winner.

Rashford has scored four goals in three games so far in the Champions League and with the striker inform on and off the field this season, the England international will be wanting to add to his goal tally against Basaksehir.

  • Team news

Both Luke Shaw and Phil Jones are still both out and injured and midfielder Jesse Lingard is isolating after coming into close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, Eric Bailly also remains doubtful. 

Solskjær also confirmed that there are one or two 'niggles' within the squad, however, they will be dealt with appropriately nearer the time.

One of the most notable misses once again at the weekend was Paul Pogba, the world cup winner was said to of had some sort of injury which forced the midfielder to miss the 1-0 win on Saturday.

There has been no confirmation on who will start in goal for United against Basaksehir. Both Dean Henderson and David De Gea are fit, De Gea seems to have got his confidence back after a few questionable moments last season, whilst Henderson hasn't really put a foot wrong when he has come into the side. The United manager is spoilt for choice in this area, with the likes of Sergio Romero still at the club.

Basaksehir's Junior Caicara and Enzo Crivelli are still both sidelined through injury. However, the Turkish team could welcome back Nacer Chadli after he's recovered from an injury.

There will be an Old Trafford return for Rafael who is likely to be in the side, with former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel also fit.

And the former Chelsea and Newcastle striker Demba Ba could start as the lone striker for Basaksehir again after scoring against United in the reverse fixture.

  • Predicted Line-ups

Manchester United: Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Tuanzebe, Telles; McTominay, Van de Beek; Rashford, Fernandes, Greenwood; Cavani

İstanbul Başakşehir: Gunok; Rafael, Skrtel, Epureanu, Bolingoli-Mbombo; Visca, Ozcan, Kahveci, Topal, Turuc; Ba

  • Ones to watch

For United as mentioned, Rashford will be wanting to continue his impressive goal scoring form in the Champions League, and with the Reds earning only their second win at home this season at the weekend, they will be wanting to put their poor form at home behind them for good.

And as always Bruno Fernandes will cause havoc for any opposition, with his vision and his set piece ability, Basaksehir should be keeping a very close eye on him throughout the game if they want any chance of stopping the Portuguese midfielder.

As for their opposition, both Demba Ba and Martin Skrtel offer a lot of experience and will be ensuring that the Turkish side remain disciplined and focused.

Visca, who got Basaksehir's second against United in the first game between these two will also be a ones to watch. Turuc has also been in good form and as any player who comes to Old Trafford will be wanting to make a name for himself.

  • What the managers have said

Ole Gunnar Solskjær: (On lessons learned from the reverse fixture and the importance of the players attitude) “Well, you know that when you go away to the Turkish champions, you know that’s going to be a difficult game anyway.

"We have experienced that at Man United a few times before. Nothing unexpected there. The level of concentration needs to be better.

"We know that the two goals that we conceded were on bad breaks and counter-attacks. In one or two other moments we caused our own problems with our organisation when we had the ball.

"We need to be… not patient in our approach, more disciplined in our positioning because any little lack of concentration and they’re up and running.

"The first goal was obviously the worst goal to concede. The second goal as well was a counter-attack. Then we’ve looked at the game and looked at the ways we should break them down.”

Okan Buruk: (On United's defence and their previous games, according to the Busby Babe's Kevin Carpenter) "We could not believe how much space Demba Ba was given. It wasn’t his goal that shocked us, but the fact he was completely unchallenged.

"I said after the previous game that we played well, but our inexperience showed. We showed glimpses of what we were capable of against PSG, but were unable to take our chances. 

"We are growing in confidence and hope to spring a few more surprises in this group."

  • Head to head

As this is the Turkish sides first ever appearance in the Champions League, their first ever meeting with United was their last when Basaksehir beat The Red Devils 2-1.

Although, Manchester United have lost two of their eight home games against Turkish clubs, with them most recently beating Fenerbahce 4-1 in the 2016-17 UEFA Europa League group stage.

The only time Istanbul have played in England was in the third qualifying round of the 2018-19 UEFA Europa League, where they experienced a heartbreaking 1-0 injury-time loss to Burnley at Turf Moor, according to Sportskeeda.

  • Where to watch on TV

This match is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 BST and will be shown on BT Sport Extra and BT Sport 2.