Manchester United travel to Belgium as they take on Club Brugge in the first leg of their Round of 32 tie at the Jan Breeder Stadium.
With the domestic battle for next season’s European placings incredibly tight, Man Utd need to view this competition as their best qualification hope, starting with a win against Club Brugge who drop into this competition after finishing third in their Champions League group.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesClub Brugge have no fresh injury or suspension concerns with ex Liverpool goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet expected to be in goal.
Man Utd could have Victor Lindelof back from illness which had sidelined him in Monday’s win over Chelsea.
Scott McTominay (knee) could also feature but Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Axel Tuanzebe (both thigh), Paul Pogba (foot), Marcus Rashford (back) and Lee Grant are sidelined.
Stat Attack
- Club Brugge are winless in two previous meetings against Manchester United, losing both legs of their UEFA Champions League Play-Off encounter in August 2015.
- Man Utd have scored seven and conceded once against Club Brugge across both previous meetings.
- United are unbeaten in their last ten Europa League knockout games (W6, D4).
Prediction
Man Utd were just clinical against Chelsea on Monday even if their defending needs to be tightened up a little bit, which is a huge positive coming into a fixture like this against a Brugge team who have lost just twice at home all season.
I therefore am expecting a good game because Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will rotate his Red Devils, providing hope for the Belgians who have goal threats throughout this squad in what should be another hustling encounter for United.
This first leg therefore could well come down to who is the more clinical but I am going for a draw given the quality in this Club Brugge team.
Prediction: Club Brugge 1-1 Manchester United
Result: Club Brugge 1-1 Manchester United
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