Manchester United travel to Belgium tonight, for the all important Champions League second leg encounter against Club Brugge.
Kick-off – Wednesday 7.45pm
Venue – Jan Breydel Stadium
First leg – Manchester United 3 Club Brugge 1
Live – BT Sport Europe
Referee – Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Sp)
Odds – H 10-3 A 10-11 D 10-4
The Red Devils are well placed to make it to the Champions league group stages after a convincing 3-1 win in the first leg encounter at Old Trafford, earlier this month. New signing Memphis Depay announced his arrival in style as the Dutchman scored twice and created one on his European debut.
Manchester United have won 3 of their 4 games in all competitions this season and have looked extremely well organised at the back.
Despite their goalscoring struggles, United have never looked in trouble in any of their games so far.
With a comfortable two goal lead in the bag, Van Gaal will be hoping to do the job with a cautious, organised approach in Belgium tonight.
As far as Brugge are concerned, injury issues and suspension mean that it will be an uphill task for the home side who will need to be at their very best and capitalize on their crucial away goal.
Club Brugge vs Manchester United: Team News
Manchester United Team News
In terms of team news, Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to replace Michael Carrick at the heart of United’s midfield and Marouane Fellaini is also set to start the game after his crucial late goal in the first leg.
Young attacking midfielder, Adnan Januzaj will have to make way for his compatriot. Meanwhile, it is unlikely that Ander Herrera will start the game. The Spaniard is yet to start a game for Manchester United this season.
When questioned about his decision regarding Herrera, Van Gaal claimed that the season is long and there will be plenty of rotation. It seems Herrera will need to be patient.
Club Brugge Team News
Elsewhere, the home side are plagued with injuries and the suspension of Brandon Mechele will be a damaging blow for the Belgian outfit.
Predicted Line ups
Manchester United Possible XI: Romero; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw; Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin; Depay, Fellaini, Mata; Rooney.
Club Brugge Possible XI: Bruzzese; Cools, De Fauw, Durate, De Bock; Vormer, Simons, Vanaken; De Sutter, Vazquez, Diaby.
Manchester United injury News
Jones (thrombosis)
Club Brugge injury News
Coopman (knee), Denswil (knee), Engels (knee), Gedoz (groin), Ibini (shin), Izquierdo (calf), Meunier (knee), Refaelov (foot)
Form Guide (All competitions)
Club Brugge – Draw, Won, Loss, Loss
Manchester United – Win, Win, Win, Draw
Club Brugge vs Manchester United Prediction: 0-3
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