After snatching a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Manchester United welcome Club Brugge to Old Trafford as both teams look to progress to the Last 16.
With an away goal, Man Utd know that at least a goalless draw would be enough to send them through, otherwise they will have to win to be sure of progression.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesTimothy Fosu-Mensah is near full fitness for Manchester United but is unlikely to be risked in this match, ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Everton.
Lee Grant (unspecified), Axel Tuanzebe (thigh), Paul Pogba (foot) and Marcus Rashford (back) are all still ruled out, with no specific return dates.
Club Brugge will be without midfielder, Eder Balanta who is suspended for this leg.
Ruud Vormer and Emmanuel Dennis are also out after picking up injuries during Sunday’s domestic win over Charleroi.
Stat Attack
- Manchester United are unbeaten in three previous European meetings against Club Brugge (W2, D1).
- Man Utd are unbeaten in five previous home European matches against Belgian opposition (W5), although they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last three such clashes.
- Club Brugge have avoided defeat in just one of their last five away games against English opposition (D1, L4), drawing 2-2 with Birmingham City in Group Stage of 2011-12 Europa League.
Prediction
Man Utd will be glad to have gotten that away goal last week because they currently look a different team to that of before the winter break, which will give them a confidence boost going into this match.
Club Brugge meanwhile have lost two of their key players and without Dennis, I just can’t see them offering much else up front against a Utd team who haven’t conceded in five of their last six games in all competitions.
I therefore am going for a routine home win but it won’t be a runaway win if Club Brugge can keep them honest.
Prediction: Manchester United 2–0 Club Brugge
Result: Manchester United 5-0 Club Brugge (Manchester United win 6-1 on aggregate)
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