MX23RW : Monday, November 25 09:15:29| >> :120:44465:44465:
[monks data]
Attendance: 25,627
Partizan
Europa League | Group Stage
Oct 24, 2019 at 5.55pm UK
 
Manchester United logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-1)
Martial (43' pen.)

Partizan coach Milosevic confident no racism will blight Manchester United game

Partizan coach Milosevic confident no racism will blight Manchester United game
© Reuters
The Serbian side were ordered to play their last two UEFA competition home matches behind closed doors.

Partizan Belgrade head coach Savo Milosevic is confident the Europa League match against Manchester United will be a "celebration of football" after the hosts completed a two-match stadium sanction for racist behaviour.

The Serbian side were ordered to play their last two UEFA competition home matches behind closed doors due to "the racist behaviour of its supporters" in the third qualifying round match against Yeni Malatyaspor of Turkey.

The second of those games against AZ Alkmaar last month was allowed to be played in front of children under the age of 14 and a full house is expected at Partizan Stadium on Thursday after the ban was served.

Former Aston Villa striker Milosevic urged Partizan fans to behave over the weekend and is hopeful that no issues will rear their head when United visit.

"First of all, I expect everything to be fair and in the spirit of the sport," he said.

"We know of our supporters, we are aware of the importance of the game and we are also aware of the problems we have had in the past.

"But tomorrow will once again be a celebration of football, so I don't expect any problems in that regard.

Milosevic Savo
Former Aston Villa striker Milosevic Savo is hopeful there will be no issues when United visit (Barry Batchelor/PA)

"We all know how important the support from the home fans can be."

Thursday's match comes fresh from UEFA hitting the Football Association of Serbia with a two-match ban on spectators, the second of which is suspended for a 12-month probationary period, for racism in September's 4-2 defeat by Portugal in Belgrade.

Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire were on the field when sickening racist marred last week's Euro 2020 qualifier in Bulgaria, with this the United duo's first away match since that night of shame in Sofia.

United head into Thursday's Group L encounter buoyed by their display in the 1-1 Premier League draw with table-topping Liverpool and Milosevic believes they will soon be back fighting at the top.

"It's impossible for one club to be always on the top level," the former Villa striker said.

"In my epoch, Manchester was one of the best teams in the world with Sir Alex Ferguson. They practically won everything possible and it's difficult to stay on that level always.

"But Manchester United is definitely in the top three biggest clubs in the world even today.

"They have some difficulties, but it is also normal to have these difficulties, especially after the epoch of one man who was there for more than 30 years. It's difficult to find someone similar.

"These problems, for me, are normal and natural, logically.

"But nevertheless, it's still one of the biggest teams in England, in Europe and they definitely possess quality and I am certain that in the future, all of Europe will see how good they are.

"They have some extraordinary young players and it's a question of time for them to become key players and to lead Manchester forward."

Milosevic believes Partizan also boast some exciting young talents and hopes they can impress Ferguson, who the former striker knows from working with him as part of UEFA's technical observers group for Euro 2016.

Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson will be in Belgrade this week (Martin Rickett/PA)

"It will be an honour and a privilege for him to be here tomorrow and I am honoured to say that I have in the past worked with Sir Alex Ferguson," he added.

"These are some of my favourite football memories.

"With respect to what he will be seeing in Belgrade, there are plenty of things to see.

"But as (with) all Scotsman, I would recommend him to just go find himself a good drop of alcohol maybe."

ID:375952: cacheID:375952:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:23006:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
David de Gea in action for Spain on October 15, 2019
Read Next:
David de Gea, Paul Pogba miss Manchester United training
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!