Smalling, Evans to Miss Olympiacos Tie

Manchester United will be without Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans for the Champions League last-16 second leg tie against Olympiacos on Wednesday.

The Premier League champions will look to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg at Old Trafford tonight.

Smalling has been sidelined with a hamstring problem, while fellow centre-back Evans has a calf problem.

Midfielder Juan Mata is cup-tied having featured for Chelsea in the same competition.

Olympiacos will be without Nigeria international Michael Olaitan, who collapsed during the first-half of a 3-0 defeat to rivals Panathinaikos in the Athens derby earlier this month.

United's Chris Smalling Sidelined for the Last-16 Second Round Tie Against Olympiacos.
United’s Chris Smalling Sidelined for the Last-16 Second Round Tie Against Olympiacos.

Ex-Argentine striker Javier Saviola could return from injury for the game with Paraguay international Nelson Valdez also in contention.

Olympiacos retained their Greek Super League title with five games to spare at the weekend, while Manchester United were drubbed 3-0 in front of their home crowd by Liverpool.

United’s unimpressive form this season has shocked many, including former goalkeeper Roy Carroll, who spent four years with the Manchester club from 2001 to 2005, winning the Premier League in 2002/03 and the FA Cup the following year.

“I have never seen Manchester United not create many chances,” Carroll told BBC Radio 5 Live on the ‘Red Devils’s’ poor form as evident during the first leg, where they could only manage one shot on target.

“It was a big shock, especially their performance.”

United are currently seventh in the league table, 12 points off the top-four spot they need to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

The 36-year-old Northern Ireland international added: “At Old Trafford, it has been very disappointing for them this season. They have lost a lot of games and let a lot of goals in.

“If we can keep them quiet, hopefully the fans will get on the back of the players and make them more nervous.

“We have to go out like we did at home and attack. It is very important for our players to try to get a goal.

“We have to defend well because a strike-force like Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie can score at any time.

“We have great respect for them; we know what they can do. Manchester United can turn it around.”