There has been little between Manchester United and Valencia in their eight previous meetings, although the English side hold an early advantage over their Spanish rivals in Group H.
• On matchday one, United eased to a 3-0 victory at newcomers Young Boys – Paul Pogba scoring twice – while Valencia were unable to capitalise on the first-half dismissal of Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo, conceding two penalties to lose 2-0 at Mestalla.
Previous meetings
• Five of the clubs’ previous eight fixtures – and four of the last five – have ended in draws, most recently in the 2010/11 group stage when they shared a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. United had won 1-0 in Spain with a late Javier Hernández strike.
• That was United’s second victory against Valencia, whose sole win against the English club came in the sides’ second meeting – a 2-1 victory at Mestalla in the 1982/83 UEFA Cup first round second leg, completing an aggregate victory by the same scoreline.
Form guide
Manchester United
• Second in last season’s Premier League, United are in the group stage for the second year running and the 22nd time overall – fewer only than the 23 participations of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Porto.
• José Mourinho’s side finished top of their section in 2017/18 ahead of Basel, CSKA Moskva and Benfica, but then bowed out in the first knockout round, losing 2-1 on aggregate to Sevilla (0-0 away, 1-2 home) in the last 16.
• The defeat by Sevilla means United have now won two of their last 13 matches against Spanish clubs, with five draws and six defeats in that time.
• The Red Devils have lost only three of their last 21 European matches, home and away (W14 D4).
• United won all three home games in last season’s group stage; the Sevilla loss ended a 21-match unbeaten run in Europe at Old Trafford (W17 D4), since a 2-1 reverse against Real Madrid in the 2012/13 UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg.
Valencia
• Fourth in the Spanish Liga in 2017/18, this is Valencia’s 11th UEFA Champions League group stage campaign. Finalists in both 1999/2000 and 2000/01, they have not reached the last 16 since 2012/13.
• Valencia did not take part in UEFA club competition in either of the last two seasons. In their most recent campaign, 2015/16, they finished third in their UEFA Champions League section to move into the UEFA Europa League, where they beat Rapid Wien 10-0 on aggregate in the round of 32 before losing on away goals to fellow Spanish side Athletic Club in the round of 16 (0-1 away, 2-1 home).
• Los Blanquinegros have lost their last four UEFA Champions League fixtures, and six of their last nine in the competition proper.
• Valencia have, however, won three of their last seven UEFA Champions League away matches, qualifying included (D1 L3).
• The Spanish side have won only three of their 17 away games against Premier League clubs (D9 L5), although their two most recent trips have both produced 1-0 victories, against both Swansea and Stoke in the UEFA Europa League.
Links and trivia
• Mourinho was in charge of Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013 and won six of his ten games against Valencia, drawing the other four.
• Juan Mata made 129 league appearances for Valencia between 2007 and 2011, scoring 33 goals.
• Andreas Pereira spent 2017/18 on loan at Valencia, scoring once in 23 Liga matches.
• Eric Bailly played under Valencia coach Marcelino while at Villarreal between 2015 and 2016, making 35 Liga appearances for the club.
• Have also played in Spain:
Ander Herrera (Zaragoza 2008–11, Athletic Club 2011–14)
Alexis Sánchez (Barcelona 2011–14)
David de Gea (Atlético Madrid 2009–11)
• Herrera was sent off twice in nine appearances against Valencia for Zaragoza and Athletic.
• Have played in England:
Gabriel (Arsenal 2015–17)
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal 2011–17)
Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea 2016–18)
Rodrigo (Bolton 2010/11)
• Have played together:
Eric Bailly & Denis Cheryshev (Villarreal, 2015)
• International team-mates:
David de Gea, Juan Mata, Ander Herrera & Rodrigo, José Gayà (Spain)
Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial & Kevin Gameiro (France)
Romelu Lukaku, Marouane Fellaini & Michy Batshuayi (Belgium)
Fred, Andreas Pereira & Neto (Brazil)
Marcos Rojo, Sergio Romero & Ezequiel Garay (Argentina)
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