By Rune Gjerulff @runegjerulff
Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel doesn’t think Manchester United’s recent poor results “say much about them”.
Photo: Bayern München/OneFootball |
Manchester United have had a less than ideal start to the season, sitting 13th in the Premier League table with six points after two successive defeats.
But speaking ahead of his side’s Champions League clash with the Red Devils at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel says he doesn’t believe Manchester United’s results so far are a fair reflection of what the team is capable of.
“Their results so far don’t say much about them,” Tuchel told reporters at the pre-match press conference.
“They can count on their excellent transitional play, with Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and now also Rasmus Højlund up front. We can’t switch off at all.
“Their start to the season has been unsatisfactory, but they could’ve led early against Brighton. They were never out of the game. United are always dangerous, they have a lot of individual quality.”
The Bayern coach went on to talk about how big of a game he thinks it is, and looked back to the 1999 Champions League final, when Manchester United scored two late goals to beat the Bavarians 2-1.
“Bayern Munich against United is a big game. They’re two big clubs in Europe. We want to live out this sporting rivalry and lead, in order to take our fans with us,” Tuchel said.
“In 1999 Bayern had an insane number of chances to make it 2-0. Then the equaliser came out of nothing. It was a very unique game, one that many fans will never forget. Sometimes those experiences drive the hunger in you to then win the Champions League two years later.”