Monday 17 August 2015

Match preview: United v Club Brugge

After what seems like an eternity, Champions League football is back at Old Trafford with United firm favourites to prevail over these two legs and seal a place in the group stages.

For Louis van Gaal, this is his first European match in charge and he has urged his side not to take the Belgians lightly, describing the tie as a "high pressure moment."

Speaking on Monday, LVG said:

"We have to show our quality against a good team, it is not an easy game and all the pressure is on us, so because of this we need to be ready.
"There is a lot of pressure because our goal and aim is to reach the next stage of this competition so these kinds of matches are difficult.
"Brugge can defend very well and can attack also, so it shall be a difficult match and this is why the pressure is very high.
"I think that his (Brugge boss Michel Preud'homme) teams are always well organised and a very good structure, I played against him as a player and now I am against him as a manager so it shall be an interesting match.
"We've had a better start than last year but you can always improve and I'm confident we will develop that to a much higher level- I expect that."


Phil Jones is United's only confirmed absentee through illness, whilst Marouane Fellaini- serving a domestic suspension- is available for the tie and could feature against his countrymen.
The boss remained silent when asked about David De Gea's involvement, merely stating that "I gave my answer a week ago."

Brugge's outstanding talent is former Barcelona star Victor Vazquez- voted the best player in Belgium last season- and he is the key for Preud'homme's side if they are to cause a major upset. 

They reached this stage by knocking out Panathinaikos 4-2 on aggregate in the third qualifying round to set up a first ever competitive meeting with United. 

Referee: Deniz Aytekin of Germany is the man in the middle for this one
Match odds: United 3/10 Draw 19/4 Brugge 19/2

Form guide: United W W Brugge D W 

Wayne Rooney will hope to open his account for the season on Tuesday 













No comments:

Post a Comment