Manchester United host Club Brugge on Thursday night with a narrow away goal advantage in their Europa League last 32 tie. The Red Devils came from behind in the first leg to secure a 1-1 draw giving them the upper hand in qualification.
Club Brugge know what is at stake on Thursday night and must come out of the gates firing. The Blue-Blacks have to score to have any chance of overturning the tie.
Scoring against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team won’t be easy for the Belgians. Manchester United are unbeaten in six straight games in all competitions. Five of those matches saw Manchester United keep clean sheets.
The only team to score against Manchester United during that six-game timeframe was Club Brugge. The Red Devils tallied a 13-1 scoreline during the six fixtures and go into the game in form.
Soslkjaer’s team won at the weekend against Watford 3-0. January transfer signing Bruno Fernandes scored and set up a goal. The midfielder is playing well for the Red Devils and will be tasked with opening up Club Brugge’s defence.
Club Brugge cannot be taken lightly by Manchester United. The Blue-Blacks are unbeaten in 14 straight games in all competitions. They followed up last week’s Europa League draw with a 1-0 win against Sporting Charleroi at the weekend.
Solskjaer is still without star striker Marcus Rashford. The English player is still recovering from a stress fracture in his back. It is possible that Rashford could miss the remainder of the season.
Manchester United are also without long-term absentee Paul Pogba who could also miss the rest of the season. There is no word on a return and the player is not training with the first-team.
Meanwhile, back-up goalie Lee Grant is ruled out. Defenders Axel Tuanzebe and Timothy Fosu-Mensah could make the squad.
Club Brugge are likely to be without exciting 21-year-old winger Krepin Diatta. The Senegalese player missed the first leg through injury as well as Club Brugge’s weekend match. Diatta has eight goals this season.
A 1-1 result on Thursday night is the only way the tie can go to extra-time. With the firepower at Solskjaer’s dispense, the Red Devils should be able to get the goals needed to advance although Club Brugge will put a fright into them.
Both teams should find the back of the net with over 2.5 goals being scored. Manchester United will win in the end and progress to the round of 16.