Town boss Kieran McKenna says the Blues will face a tough game against his old club Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday, despite the Red Devils having endured a difficult season by their standards and with a less than impressive home record (TNT Sports, KO 7.30pm).

United are currently 15th in the table, 13 points and three places ahead of the Blues, who are in the final relegation spot but now five points plus goal difference behind Wolves in 17th.

The Red Devils are without a win in three in the Premier League, defeats at home to Crystal Palace, 2-0, and 1-0 at Tottenham before drawing 2-2 at Everton on Saturday having been 2-0 behind until the 72nd minute and very fortunate to have had a late penalty decision overturned by VAR.

They have won only two in their last 10 in the league and five in 15 since Ruben Amorim took charge in November. They have, however, progressed to the knockout phase of the Europa League and are still in the FA Cup.

At Old Trafford this season, they have won five, drawn one and lost seven, and have a goal difference of minus-seven after netting 17 and conceding 22.

Having played Spurs on Saturday as they were coming out of a bad run of form, McKenna was asked whether it is perhaps a good time for the Blues to be facing United given their home record and significant injury problems.

“Who knows?” McKenna said. “As I said before the Tottenham game, you expect to face a really strong version of the opponent.

“And if you look at the players on the pitch, if you look at the value they have on the pitch, if you look at the experience, Premier League and international and Champions League experience that they're going to have on the pitch, then it would be foolish of us to go there expecting anything other than a big, big challenge in a really tough game. So I think that's what we're going to get.

“Other than that, we have to go there and try and put the best version of ourselves on the pitch.

“You can never know. Tottenham, when we played them the first time round, were in really good home form and the result would have taken them right to the top echelons of the league. 

“Going into [Saturday’s] game was different. As I said after the game, we probably had a lot more chances in that game than we did at the Tottenham game when we ended up winning that one and losing this one. That's football and fine margins. 

“I think we need to and we will go there with the right balance of humility, knowing that we're playing against some world-class players in their home stadium. But also with the confidence to know that we've picked up some big results away from home. 

“We played well against Man United in the first game and we go there to try and impose ourselves on as much of the game as we can and play really well and try and fight for points.”

McKenna, who grew up a Manchester United fan, admits it’s a shock to see the Red Devils as low as they are in the table.

“I think it's a surprise for anyone,” he continued. “I don’t think anyone in football would say it's anything other than that. I'm sure they'd want to be having a better season than they are.

“I think it does show the competitiveness of the Premier League, that’s the truth of it. I think the margins to win games, whether it's Man United in the last few months, we've seen it with Man City for spells of the season, we've seen it with Tottenham for spells of the season.

“You don't need to do loads and loads of things wrong and you can find yourself on the wrong side of results. They've found themselves on the wrong side of results more often than they would have wanted. 

“But I think it's an incredibly strong league. So many of the teams have strengthened and pushed on again over the last few seasons and it means that there aren’t any guarantees for any team in the league.”

McKenna says Wednesday’s trip was a match which both fans and players would have looked for when the fixtures were released in the summer.

“It's a standout one in the calendar for sure,” he said. “For quite a few of our players it will be the first time that they'll play at Old Trafford and it doesn't come round ten times in every career.

“So the opportunity to go and compete there in a league game is fantastic. For the football club, for the group of players and for the staff, we're all really excited for it.”

Can going to a venue such as Old Trafford draw out an extra five or 10 per cent from players?

“Let's hope so,” the Northern Irishman added. “That's what we'll aim for. For quite a few of the players it will be the first time.

“And it's a stadium where many of them, many of us will have grown up watching football and being inspired by.

“So the opportunity to go and compete there on an even footing against Man United is a great occasion and you want the players to feel nothing but excitement and good feelings towards the game. I think we'll have that.

“Of course, it's a difficult challenge as well in the game and we have to be ready for that. But I think the overriding feeling in the building is that everyone's really excited for the game.”

McKenna spent just over five years at Old Trafford, moving from Tottenham, where he had been U18s coach, to United’s academy in a similar role in 2016 before Jose Mourinho brought him into the senior coaching set-up two years later.

He remained a first-team coach under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and briefly Ralf Rangnick before joining Town as manager in December 2021.

Despite that connection and having spoken to them last summer regarding their management position, he says he’s not paid particular attention to their season, aside from when the teams met and drew 1-1 at Portman Road in November in Amorim’s first match in charge.

“I haven't followed it really, really closely, to be honest,” he said. “We're so wrapped up in ourselves first and foremost, trying to work on improving every little detail on ourselves and then on the next opponent. 

“We played them in the manager's first game, so that's our clearest reference. There were some things that were good in the game for us and they showed their quality in some moments as well. 

“Of course, I know quite a few of the players on a more detailed level. Our players know pretty much all their players very, very well and we know that it's going to be a big challenge. 

“But we also feel that there's an opportunity there to go and put in a really good performance.

“I haven't studied too many of their games or watched them in any more than passing this season. I'm sure they would have liked to have been having a better season, for sure, but I'm sure they're going to try and finish the season strongly as well.”

McKenna says he’s not sure why United’s home form has been so disappointing this season.

“I've not studied the ins and outs,” he said. “At the moment, today, tomorrow and up to Wednesday, we're deep studying the opponent and watching all their games. Other than that, it's just been a passing watch. 

“If there was one simple reason to improve their home form, I'm pretty sure the last manager [Erik ten Hag] or this current manager would have addressed it. 

“They've not quite been able to get the home results that they would want. I'm sure they're trying to find solutions to that and they're going to be desperate to get a win on Wednesday night.

“We're going to be desperate to go there and get some points as well, so it should make for a really competitive match.

“Other than that, the season form and runs of form and things like that, I think it's the people closest to it will have the best opinion.”

Asked to reflect on his best times from his spell at United and what he learned from his years there, McKenna said: “Some great memories. Probably PSG away [the 2-1 win in the Champions League in October 2020 in which Town’s Axel Tuanzebe played a starring role].

“I think it's pretty special for anyone who's involved in that one in terms of a one-off game, but we had some great ones. 

“Greatest lesson, I think it's an opportunity that not many people get in their careers to work at the highest, highest level of the game at that stage, at the very top end of the Premier League and the latter stages of the Champions League.

‘Working with world-class players, working in the biggest and probably most scrutinised club in world football and doing it at a relatively young age for a coach. I think it's an incredible experience I picked up a lot from.”

Quizzed on one particular member of staff who had the biggest impact, McKenna says there were plenty.

“Loads, both in the academy and the first team side,” he continued. “A fantastic club, lots of good people. All the managers I worked under, I took an awful lot from. 

“Ole obviously was the one I spent the most significant period with and had the deepest connection with, and a top man. 

“Usually if I get asked about it, I'll probably say [fellow United first-team coach and now Middlesbrough manager] Michael Carrick in terms of the relationship that we had and that professional relationship and friendship.

“And learning so much from him from coming from a completely different career and, hopefully, him learning some things from me coming from the very different way that we'd spent the 15 years.

“From when I chased his shadow for a little bit at Tottenham as a young player and the different experiences in between that time and then working with him very closely as a coach. Sharing those experiences was something really valuable to me.”

McKenna says there are both similarities with United under Amorim and under previous boss Ten Hag.

“Again, I have to say I didn't watch loads of them under Erik ten Hag this year because they weren't on our fixture list,” he said.

“Before playing United, we knew that Ruben was coming in, so I probably watched as many Sporting Lisbon games as I did Man United games in the build-up to that game. 

“I think you can obviously say there are some adjustments to the system, which has been, I'm sure, pretty well-publicised. 

“But on the other hand I think I said before the first game, to play 3-2-5 in possession is something that they've done previously. They've certainly done under Erik Ten Hag as well. 

“So, in terms of their attack and balance, there are probably a lot of similarities to some games they had under the previous manager. I think they defend more commonly now in a line of five, sort of in the second and third phases, which is a little bit different. 

“Some tactical differences and other than that, it's the people on the inside who will have the better idea of what the difference is.”

McKenna is pleased to be visiting Old Trafford for a midweek match: “We're happy to have the games. We'd be really excited to go there anytime, but to go there in a midweek game is going to be really nice. 

“Hopefully plenty of the supporters can make it up there as well. I know it's a big challenge, so we appreciate the support that will come up. 

“And you get a little bit less prep time, of course. But it's not 10 years since we played them, we played them a couple of months ago.

“Yes, we're slightly short of prep, but I think Wednesday night gives us plenty of time and hopefully we'll be fully prepared and deliver the best performance we can.”

The Team

McKenna may make a number of changes to his team for the visit to Old Trafford, some potentially enforced.

Alex Palmer will again start in goal, while Tuanzebe will return on the right of the defence following his one-match suspension for his red card at Aston Villa.

Dara O’Shea and Jacob Greaves will continue in the centre with Leif Davis likely to be on the left, despite criticism of the former Leeds man on the first two Tottenham goals.

Ben Johnson may return to the XI on the right if the Blues manager is looking for a more defensive outlook.

In the centre of midfield, Kalvin Phillips (calf) and Jens Cajuste (ankle) will both be assessed in the couple of days before the game having picked up knocks at the weekend. If they don’t make it, then skipper Sam Morsy will probably return for Phillips and Jack Taylor would be handed his second Premier League start for Cajuste.

Behind central striker Liam Delap, with United among the two clubs keenest on recruiting the England U21 international in the summer alongside Chelsea, Omari Hutchinson could be joined by Jaden Philogene moving to his preferred left with Jack Clarke dropping to the bench.

The Opposition

United, who have announced plans which could see another 150-200 jobs axed in addition to the 250 which went last year as part of a corporate restructure, could be without up to 10 players due to injury.

Right-back Noussair Mazraoui is understood to be a doubt with a knee problem which forced him off in the 70th minute of the Everton match.

Lisandro Martinez (also knee), Luke Shaw, Mason Mount (both muscle), Amad Diallo (ankle) and Kobbie Mainoo (knock) are definitely out, while Tom Heaton, Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans and Toby Collyer have also all missed recent matches.

History

Historically, the Blues have won 19 games between the sides (17 in the league) and the Red Devils 29 (24), while 10 (10) have been draws.

Town last beat Manchester United in the Coca-Cola Cup in 1997 when goals from Alex Mathie and Mauricio Taricco saw George Burley’s side to a 2-0 victory.

In the league, the Blues most recently defeated the Red Devils at Portman Road in September 1994 when Paul Mason scored twice and Steve Sedgley once in a 3-2 success.

At Old Trafford, you have to go back to May 1984 for a Town victory, Bobby Ferguson’s side coming from behind at half-time to win 2-1, Mich d'Avray and Alan Sunderland bagging the goals.

Remarkably, that match remains the last time United lost at Old Trafford in the league having been ahead at half-time. Since then, United are unbeaten in 388 games when in front after 45 minutes.

At Portman Road in November, Hutchinson’s first Premier League goal just before half-time saw the Blues to a 1-1 home draw with United at Portman Road in manager McKenna’s first game against his old club.

The Red Devils, with head coach Amorim in charge for the first time, went in front in the 80th second through Marcus Rashford, who is now on loan at Aston Villa, but the Blues deserved their leveller when it came and had second half chances to win it via Delap and Conor Chaplin.

The teams last met at Old Trafford in the Capital One Cup in September 2015 when manager Mick McCarthy controversially changed all his starting XI and Town were comfortably beaten 3-0 via goals from Wayne Rooney, Andreas Pereira and sub Anthony Martial.

Rooney put the home side in front in the 23rd minute, full debutant Pereira made it 2-0 with a free-kick on the hour and Martial added the third in injury time.

The sides most recently faced one another in the league at Old Trafford in the Blues’ 2001/02 relegation season.

In the September, Town were beaten 4-0, although the scoreline was a touch flattering to the home side with two goals netted in the closing moments.

United were dominant in the first half, but with the second period more even, although Town rarely threatened.

Ronny Johnsen opened the scoring on 13, Solskjaer made it 2-0 on 20 and he and Andy Cole added the third and fourth in injury time.

Familiar Faces

Blues boss McKenna was at United from August 2016 until taking the Town job in December 2021. Having initially been brought in as U18s coach, he was promoted to the first-team staff by Mourinho and stayed in the role under Solskjaer and briefly Rangnick before his move to the Blues.

McKenna’s assistant Martyn Pert was also a member of the first-team backroom staff at Old Trafford having joined the club in 2019 before following McKenna to Town.

Similarly, Blues first-team coach Lee Grant was a goalkeeper at Manchester United before retiring in the summer of 2022 when he joined McKenna’s staff.

Town defender Tuanzebe came through the youth system at United having joined them aged eight. He want on to make 21 senior starts and 15 sub appearances.

Former Blues loanee Michael Clegg is the strength and conditioning coach at Old Trafford. Clegg made three appearances during the 1999/00 promotion season while on loan from United.

Officials

Wednesday’s referee is Darren England, his assistants Neil Davies and Akil Howson, and the fourth official Sam Barrott. The VAR official is Craig Pawson and his assistant Adam Nunn.

Doncaster-based England has shown 80 yellow cards and three red in 21 games so far this season.

He was most recently in the middle for a Town match at Arsenal just after Christmas when he yellow-carded Davis and one Gunner in the Blues’ 1-0 defeat.

England was also in charge at Spurs in November for Town’s first win this season, showing yellow cards to Davis again, Johnson, Delap, Hutchinson, Tuanzebe and one home player.

In addition, he has been the VAR official for the win at Wolves, as well as for the Aston Villa and West Ham matches.

Last season, England took charge of the 2-1 win at Watford in December 2023 in which he booked Chaplin, Hutchinson, Massimo Luongo, George Hirst and two Hornets.

Prior to that he was in charge of the 1-0 home defeat to Swansea in April 2019 in which he cautioned James Bree, Toto Nsiala and three Swans.

He also refereed the 2-0 defeat at Blackburn in the preceding January in which he yellow-carded skipper Luke Chambers and one home player and also awarded Rovers a penalty after Callum Elder had hauled down Adam Armstrong.

Before that he was in the middle for the 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest in April 2018 in which he booked Grant Ward and one home player.

England also took charge of the 1-0 defeat at Bristol City a month earlier, in which he cautioned Jonas Knudsen and one Robin, and the 2-0 win at Sunderland a month prior to that, in which he yellow-carded Joe Garner and one Black Cat.

Squad From

Palmer, Muric, Slicker, Davis, Townsend, Johnson, Godfrey, O’Shea, Woolfenden, Burgess, Greaves, Morsy, Cajuste, Phillips, Luongo, Taylor, Chaplin, Hutchinson, Philogene, J Clarke, Szmodics, Broadhead, Delap, Hirst.

Photo: TWTD

blueboy1981 added 20:41 - Feb 24 Confidence ? - Based on What ? - the Home loss against Spurs ?? Let’s hope this motivates a few to prove me WRONG !
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dirtydingusmagee added 21:24 - Feb 24 Every game is a must win game unfortunately the prospects of winning more than perhaps a couple look a forlorn hope now. Looking at fixtures for remains of the season i think Wolves are more likely to pull further away..Its been a painful experience this season but it was not unexpected. . I just hope relegation wont tare the club apart and we can come back more prepared..

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bluebullet29l added 22:32 - Feb 24 Unfortunately we will get battered. Yes even by man utd.
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armchaircritic59 added 23:39 - Feb 24 I don't know where Man Utd would be this season without Bruno Fernandes. Even though he's often not been at his very best he's been responsible for digging them out of a hole on a number of ocassions, including at Everton on Saturday, a match I watched, they were truly diabolical in the first half, the second developed into a thriller however. Maybe try something different? Man mark him. It once worked a treat in a match I watched at Portman Road long ago, when Roger Osborne man marked the great Johann Cruyff out of a European match. We've now little to lose, could be worth a try.

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ITFCSG added 05:55 - Feb 25 The whole world is laughing at ManUre now on how crap they are because they were playing other established Prem teams that cancelled each other out or were far better than the car crash of the club ManUre is. In reality we’d make them look like a footballing masterclass and Fergie’s Treble Winners tomorrow. One shot one goal while we huff and puff and go nowhere. Just being a realist.

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bobble added 08:53 - Feb 25 We should go there with 3 up front and have a fun game,,,,united are under pressure to perform good and win easily and we are not.....
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mathiemagic added 09:09 - Feb 25 I didnt think we were that bad against Spurs, they were just more clinical than us. I think attack is the best option against Manure as an early goal will have them creaking and the crowed at their back. #COYB - Prediction 1-2
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algy added 10:27 - Feb 25 Many fan, former Manu coach, wannabe future Manu manager and he talks mainly about Manu to media people with negligible interest in the team that he is paid highly to manage.
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Leejames99 added 10:41 - Feb 25 Wouldnt mind try a 4-1-4 -1 if Cajuste and Phillips out With Taylor in front of Defence, Jonson, Davis Hutchinson and Szmodicks and Delap Palmer Tunazabe O'Shea Greaves Townsend Taylor Johnson Davis Szmodicks Hutchinson Delap Think Johnson and Davis could cut out their wingers, Taylor on Fernades and let Szmodicks Hutch and Delap control forward play with Davis and Johnson on counters knowing Tunazabe and Townsend behind them. Just my opinion.

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MICKEY added 13:17 - Feb 25 I am going to the match with friends who are Man Utd season ticket holders. Which pub will all the Town supporters be in before the match?
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Sandman180 added 13:19 - Feb 25 Some questionable tactics this season, including on Saturday; need to keep a set side (injuries permitting) and fixed formation now until May, 5 at the back, compact, and rely on the counter and patient approach I.E Fulham, Villa etc - being too bold doesn't work, quality isn't there and when the defence is isolated they get torn to shreds. If wolves win this eve and we lose tomorrow it's all but over, a real learning curve this year, recruitment hasn't quite paid off in the way we'd hope in that we've spent £130 million and not massively improved the starting 11 than what was already at the club, although if we keep the nucleus of the squad then a title challenge next year looks pretty feasible. I'd go gung-ho for the FA CUP tie vs Forest, let's dream of Wembley (even a semi final visit would be nice) and just hope for lady luck in some of the league games we have left - looks pretty grim on paper, the Fulham/Bournemouth/Leics/Brentford results will all come back to bite us in the end, can't get away with it in the prem, especially at the bottom, every point is valuable. Anyway, onto Old Trafford we go!

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Carberry added 16:01 - Feb 25 For all those people on here who keep saying anyone who expected us to stay up are idiots, just take a look at the Poll at the top of the page.
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Linkboy13 added 16:03 - Feb 25 Another damage limitation exercise hoping lady luck is on our side and we get something out of the game. Dosent matter what formation we play if you haven't got the players you can't polish a turd as they say. Ive been following Town for 60 years now and this is the poorest season i can remember out classed and bullied nearly every game i dread going to Portman road this season enjoy the ride they say what a joke i shall be enjoying much more in the championship next season far less pot holes.

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Linkboy13 added 16:35 - Feb 25 Yes Carberry there are a lot of idiot's about but we already knew that didn't we.
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Northstandveteran added 21:01 - Feb 25 The only premier league team not to win in 2025. 14 goals conceded in the last 4 home games. That's just great motivational skills Blueboy.
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blueboy1981 added 21:58 - Feb 25 Can anyone see anything better than an easy 2-0 Win for a Very Poor Man’ Utd Team ? - honesty tells me I cannot ! But Hope has to be Eternal. Not a repeat of last weekend, and another four conceded - Please !!
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Eeyore added 22:22 - Feb 25 Such a lot of negativity. It’s really sad. We are in the a premier league and many on here are miserable. Give your tickets to proper supporters and go and support whatever team that happens to be winning all the time. I am still laughing at the idiot who picked a team without Morsy in it! The away supporters are the proper supporters who have outsung every home crowd this season. Ok, apart from Liverpool perhaps. I am sitting with Man U supporters because they are not filling their stadium this year for some reason. I will have to stop myself shouting every time we score!

1

Eeyore added 22:25 - Feb 25 And I am looking forward to being the only person still in my section at the end enjoying the Woofie fist pump !
2

Gforce added 22:30 - Feb 25 Good news,Wolves losing tonight, you never know,it's not over till the large lady sings !
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DannyITFC added 22:37 - Feb 25 Even with Wolves losing tonight we won’t take advantage and win let’s be honest. We look lost and lost of all confidence, KM does not seem to know his best team unlike the last two seasons. 4-0 loss inbound.
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blueboy1981 added 22:58 - Feb 25 Wolves continue to try and help us - all to no avail it seems. Let’s see some real BITE tomorrow against Man Utd, and a Will to Win !! Not a Defensive shambles like Rabbits in Headlights against Spurs - which was yet another embarrassment to ITFC to see again, and commented about on Match of the Day. It TRUTH Folks - no point, or POINTS in denial, or being deluded.

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Leejames99 added 23:47 - Feb 25 @Eeyore What's another name for a donkey...? I'm the one you are referring to as an idiot for not putting Morsy in starting line up and the reason being is captain or not he is the oldest midfielder in Prem aside De Bruyne, Erikson and Cassimero and he is not even close to what those 3 have achieved, he is a League 1/Championship midfielder who is way out of his depth in the Premiership just running with the pace of a donkey around giving needless fouls and pointing, fair enough ge got a chance after last 2 seasons but he is way off the pace in my opinion, that doesn't make me an idiot, fed up fans on here who won't have a bad word said about Morsy, Davis etc those 2 cost us so many points. Enjoy Manchester, as Eeyore would say "Oh Dear!" COYB

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Bert added 09:26 - Feb 26 It seems that some on here would be disappointed if we were to win tonight. How shameful. The truth of the matter is that we are struggling to defend and are not taking our chances but the fight is still there. There will be twists and turns and if Man City are given a massive points reduction that is another life line. I would much prefer us to survive on merit but such a points reduction would even things up when the big boys have got away with everything to date. Enjoy the game Eeyore and keep the faith.

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Sandman180 added 09:58 - Feb 26 Some ridiculous takes on here - from my perspective, surely we can all agree on a few points: - tactically, there's been some questionable decisions this year - the new signings haven't really improved the starting 11, sadly - being pragmatic (about survival chances) and generally negative are two different things, understand that - the previous two seasons don't absolve anyone from criticism this year (if warranted) we are in the Prem now, the 'remember the journey' rhetoric is now redundant, the team will be judged on their respective performances this season, not on beating Barnsley away. - Old father time is catching up with our captain - he's not played Prem football prior to this, so he was inevitably going to struggle in the twilight of this career, the pace is too much for him; long term, a new plan has to be implemented, centre midfield very light next year current (Cam H to play a bigger role perhaps, but this needs reinforcing in the summer) - It is very hard to enjoy losing every week after the Indian summers of the last two seasons Tonight a point would be a good result, let's face it; reduces the lead to Wolves to four, and a glimmer of hope remains.

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Cloddyseedbed added 10:05 - Feb 26 Wide defence needs sorting out, has done all season. Attackers get crosses in with ease on both flanks with Davis caught high up, defence moves over and leaves acres of space on our right side. It's been targeted all season by the opposition. Tuanzabe needs support in defence in the wide position. Johnson plays over the half way line and does not support the defence. Whether that is an instruction, I'm not sure but, he offers no awareness of the attacking dangers of the opposition. Those saying we need Harry Clarke in defence, I despair, whole hearted he was, but hadn't a clue on positional defending, mostly caught the wrong side and unaware of attackers around him. He had a nightmare playing for Sheff Utd this week against Leeds and it highlighted that. He was taken off, supposedly injured! We can win tonight, but team selection and tactics need to be spot on. COYB's.

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