Brothers to clash in Man U’s Europa match

MANCHESTER United’s quest for a trophy treble continues with a meeting against a fallen French giant tonight as SaintEtienne visit Old Trafford in the Europa League’s round of 32.

Although United trail leaders Chelsea by 12 points in the English Premier League, they remain on track for glory in both the League Cup, where they have reached the final, and the FA Cup.

Even one season outside the Champions League is seen as a season too many for a club like United, but although SaintEtienne last sat at Europe’s top table in 1981, Jose Mourinho remains an admirer.

“Despite many years without titles, it’s a big club with big tradition,” the United manager told MUTV after the draw was made.

“It’s the club where Michel Platini, before he went to Italy, did amazingly well in an amazing team that was dominant in France in that period, so it’s a historical club.

“And [there is] the extra cu- riosity of a beautiful thing, which is two brothers playing against each other.”

The brothers in question are United’s record signing, Paul Pogba, and Saint-Etienne defender Florentin, who will meet in a professional match for the first time.

Another player rubbing his hands in anticipation is United’s Anthony Martial, who came through the ranks at SaintEtienne’s arch rivals, Lyon.

“Of course, it would be great if I could score against them, but I hope we can win the game because that’s the most important thing,” Martial said.

Saint-Etienne are likely to pay more attention to Martial’s teammate, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who scored 14 goals in 13 matches against them during his time at Paris Saint-Germain.

Tonight’s game will allow Saint-Etienne to end a near 40year wait to grace the Old Trafford turf for the first time.

In the pick of tonight’s other first-leg ties, Serie A’s secondplaced team Roma travel to Villarreal, Borussia Moenchengladbach host Fiorentina and Tottenham Hotspur visit Belgian side Gent. – AFP