Manchester United received an unexpected boost ahead of their Europa League match against FC Sheriff on Thursday night after manager Stjepan Tomas unexpectedly resigned on Tuesday.
The Moldovan side suffered their first league defeat of the campaign, losing 1-0 to FC Petrocub over the weekend and despite being six points clear at the top, Tomas felt the need to resign.
Sheriff currently sit third in the Europa League group and anything short of a win would see them unable to qualify from the group stage.
Speaking after the league loss, Tomas blamed himself, stating that the upcoming game against United was playing too much on the players’ minds.
‘It seems that the players were thinking about the Manchester game, there was no concentration. This is my mistake,’ he said.
FC Sheriff has only been a club since 1997 and without a doubt this United match is one of the most important of their short career, although the team is no stranger to surprises, having beaten Real Madrid in the Champions League in the season. 2021/22.
Tomas himself had only been in charge of the club for four months and a club statement praised the Croatian manager for his “contribution to the development of the club and its promotion in the international arena”.
Strangely, this is the second manager in United’s Europa League group to now leave his post, with Omonia Nicosia sacking Neil Lennon last week.
This latest change in management means whoever takes charge of United’s game will have just two days to prepare and set up the squad.
United beat the Moldovan outfit 2-0 in the first leg with Jadon Sancho and Ronaldo scoring the goals.
With United still second in the group, a win is imperative to keep the pressure on group leaders Real Sociedad.
United will face the Spanish next Thursday.
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