'We are aware of the problems we have had in the past': Partizan Belgrade host Manchester United following stadium ban as head coach confident racism problems are behind them
* Partizan Belgrade played their last two games behind closed doors due to racism
* The racist behaviour occurred in a Europa League qualifier vs. Yeni Malatyaspor
* Serbia have also been hit with a two-match ban after racist behaviour last month
* Partizan Belgrade coach Savo Milosevic has asked fans to behave on Thursday
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.
Partizan Belgrade boss Savo Milosevic said that his club's racism problems are behind them. The club served a two-match stadium ban following racist behaviour in a Europa League game
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.
'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.
Quote:
PREDICTED TEAMS
PARTIZAN BELGRADE (4-4-2): Stojkovic; Miletic, Ostojic, Pavlovic, Urosevic; Scekic, Natcho, Zdjelar, Tosic; Sadiq, Asano
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Romero; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Rojo, Williams; Fred, McTominay, Mata, Lingard, Greenwood; Rashford
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'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.'
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7604971/Partizan-Belgrade-host-Manchester-United-Europa-League-following-stadium-ban-racism.html