Erik ten Hag banks on 'strong bond' with fans as Manchester United face Bayern Munich test

Bayern Munich are unbeaten in 39 Champions League group games since a 2017 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. With such an incredible form behind them, the Bavarian side – clear leaders in their Champions League Group A – face a diffident Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

United, with only one win in five group games so far, need a victory to stand any chance of staying in the competition. That will be easier said than done as Bayern, who drew their last group game 0-0 against Copenhagen, have not gone two group games without a win since 2008.

Despite the magnitude of the challenge facing his team, United boss Erik ten Hag remains optimistic.

“We can beat any opponent,” Ten Hag said at the Carrington training ground when asked how his struggling side can win. “We have to show them the clips from Chelsea, how they can play. If we do that, all there, and we have a good plan – as I said – we can beat any opponent.

“We are not consistent, that’s clear, but we have also a very good performance and highs and if we get it and are in the right spirit then we are able to do it and beat any opponent.”

Asked how he would feel if United went out of Europe, Ten Hag said: “I don’t know. What I know is I never think of a negative scenario, we think positive. We know what to do, we have to win to stay in Europe, it's about that. We will prepare the team with that feeling, with that belief we are able to do it. We have shown in the last weeks when we are at our best, we can do it.”

The game is a sell-out, with 3,000 travelling Bayern fans expected. United have played in three stadiums renowned for their atmosphere in this group stage in Munich, Copenhagen and Istanbul. Now it’s Old Trafford’s turn to provide the best backdrop