The old boy returns with United in his veins
Nantes, unbeaten at home and still chasing Europe's biggest prize after last season's final, meet a Manchester United side that has already lost its goalkeeper — and may yet lose a fifth of its legs.
Three meetings in 2052 and 2053, and nothing between them worth a grudge: a United win, a Nantes win, a goalless draw. A decade later the stakes are altogether grander. Nantes, who fell short in the final of this competition in 2062, have won their last twelve in the 5-2-3 that has become a habit, and in Abdallah Falah they possess the form of the autumn: 7.62 across his last four. United arrive with a 4-4-2 that scores and concedes in equal measure, and without Renzo López, their goalkeeper, until roughly 2 December.
Watch Falah against Alfonso, the full-back averaging 6.79. And watch Jean-Marc Martina, who spent four seasons here and won two trophies, now keeping goal for the visitors. He knows the old ground; the old ground knows him.