After a great start to their English Premier League campaign, Manchester United await Club Brugge at Old Trafford early Wednesday morning (Australian time) with a place in the Champions League group stage on the line.
Manchester United not only have maximum points from their first two matches in the EPL, they also boast two clean sheets.
Adnan Januzaj’s strike separated United and Aston Villa on the weekend, which put them on top of the ladder until Manchester City defeated reigning champions Chelsea 3-0.
With the important away goals rule coming into play against Brugge, all eyes will be on the United’s defence and on Sergio Romero in between the sticks.
The visitors sit third in their domestic league after a steady start to the season, and impressively saw off Panathinaikos FC earlier this month to set up this clash.
Having explained his call-up against Villa, Januzaj will hope to keep his place in the starting line-up. Brugge, meanwhile, are missing a handful of players through injury, but last season’s top scorers in the Belgian Pro League will still carry a significant attacking threat.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has no injury worries and has admitted that this match will put him under plenty of pressure: from both the media and fans.
Phil Jones is the only sidelined player as he still has mild thrombosis obtained from the 1-0 win over Aston Villa. Marouane Fellaini is contending for his place as his current suspension only applies to domestic matches.
If the Red Devils can defeat the Belgian side at Old Trafford tonight, and at next week’s second leg, a return to the Champions League’s group stages will be all but secured.
“We have to show our quality against a good team. It is not an easy game,” Van Gaal said.
Belgian Player of the Year Victor Vasquez, an attacking midfielder who was a youth player at Barcelona during Van Gaal’s time at the club, will be one of Brugge’s players that Manchester United will need to keep an eye on.
“He is very good, he is one of their key players,” Van Gaal admitted. “He is not only fast, but he has a good vision.”
What can we expect from United early Wednesday morning?
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