Club Brugge v Manchester United
Tuesday 25th August – Kickoff: 1945hrs
Football – Europe– Champions League
The first leg at Old Trafford last Tuesday proved to be a very entertaining affair and much more competitive encounter than most has anticipated. The Belgians took the lead and could have been further ahead before United’s new Dutch signing, Memphis, scored his first and second goals for his new club. It look like that would be the end of the scoring until the final kick of the ball when Marouane Fellaini headed home to give the English club a bigger advantage heading into Wednesday’s return match.
Although the away goal came via Michael Carrick, Brugge looked threatening throughout the first leg and probably should have taken at least one of their chances. It remains to be seen how much they will live to regret those misses opportunities but they can take confidence from the fact they created so many openings. If they are to progress past United, however, the Belgians will have to tighten up at the back. Far too often Brugge’s defence were carved open and afforded too much space to the likes of Memphis and Juan Mata. Their cause was not helped losing defender Brandon Mechele, who was sent off late on at Old Trafford after picking up two bookings. He would have been in the area which Fellaini headed home from, highlighting how big a miss his physical presence could be on Wednesday.
The late goal certainly gives United some more breathing space as they make the trip to Belgium, but it should not mask how much they struggled – particularly in the first half – against Brugge. If not for a couple of pieces of genius from Memphis then it could have been a completely different story, but that’s why Louis Van Gaal paid the big money for. The manager will be concerned that some of his other stars are yet to get going this season, however, especially Wayne Rooney. The captain is trying to adjust to playing as a central striker again and is yet to find his form. It remains to be seen if he continues playing in that position for the duration of the season, or another striker is brought in, but he is likely to lead the line in Belgium.
The home side will again be without several of their regular starting eleven, for this game, including Lior Refaelov. The Israeli has been a key player for Club Brugge and his composure in the final third would have been most welcome last week. In order to get the victory and margin required to be in Thursday’s group stage draw, it will be up to the likes of Victor Vasquez to provide the inspiration in attack. The Spaniard was voted player of the year in the Belgian league last season and will be pivotal if his side are to progress from this tie.
Van Gaal is likely to make a couple of changes from the team that started the first leg. Goalscoring hero Fellaini should come in to play in the number 10 role in place of Adnan Januzaj, whilst Bastian Schweinsteiger could partner Morgan Schneiderlin in a new-look midfield. With the exception of one or two changes, the selection has been a fairly settled one for United in the hope that they can begin to get some more understanding in their attacking play. Van Gaal will hope that Wednesday’s game can provide some of his under-performing stars with the chance to kickstart their season.
Club Brugge v Manchester United Betting Tips
There’s no doubt that United are overwhelming favourites to make the group stage considering the advantage they hold coming into the return leg. It may be a cliché but the first goal is going to be all important, and pretty much a necessity that Brugge get it if they are to have any sort of chance. Should United get it then it is virtually tie over as you struggle to see them conceding three without scoring another, themselves.
A major concern I have for the home side is how they deal with the physicality of Fellaini. He was only on for a short time last week but won more than his fair share of aerial challenges. As he’s likely to start on Wednesday, it’s doubtful if they have the ability to counter his presence. It’s a match-up which leads me to think that United will have too much for their opponents once again, but having not reached the standards they are capable of (and as they can qualify without having to win the match) I am reluctant to back them at a shades of odds on.
Instead, I can see this being a similar type of game to the first leg in that Brugge will try to take the game to United from the outset. They averaged 3.2 goals per home game in their domestic league last season, indicating that their approach to last week’s match is very much their preferred style of play. United have not been fluent domestically in an attacking sense, but they created more than enough last week and can profit from what looks like a very shaky Brugge defence.
Over 2.5 goals 5/6 @ Boylesports
