Club Brugge vs. Manchester United: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info

Louis van Gaal needs the second leg of the Club Brugge vs. Manchester United clash to go his way. If Michel Preud'homme's side are not able to overturn the 3-1 deficit from the first leg, there will be no shame in another Europa League campaign for his side. There is thus considerably less pressure on the home team than there is on the visitors.

For Van Gaal and United though, failure now would be something close to a disaster. Having taken matters firmly into their own hands in the first leg, they must avoid collapse here. If Club do manage to beat United by a wide-enough margin, then all last season's efforts will be for nothing for the Red Devils.

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Frustration has been growing with Van Gaal's approach among some United supporters, and a comfortable win here would go some way to appeasing the voices of discontent. Getting to the Champions League group stages will see the first stage of his mission being accomplished. He will be very grateful for Marouane Fellaini's late goal last Tuesday at Old Trafford, which means there is a two-goal buffer for United.

Preud'homme did not appear enormously confident ahead of the game. He said, per Mark Ogden of the Telegraph:

"

Miracles happen sometimes, but they are two goals in front and they are a very professional team. To get a miracle, you need to be perfect and you need the other to not play at his best potential.

It will be very difficult, but let's pray.

"

Brugge's most creative midfielder, Victor Vazquez sounded a slightly more optimistic note, per Manchester United's official website, saying:

"

I'm disappointed by the first-leg result - that is clear - as we held on to a great first-leg result for so long. That final goal from Fellaini really makes it hard on us, however. But you never know in football. If we manage to score an early goal in Bruges, and if our 12th man starts backing the team 100 per cent, then we can go anywhere!

"

Let's take a look at all the salient details ahead of what promises to be an intense encounter in front of Club Brugge's vocal and passionate home support.

Date: Wednesday, 25 August, 2015

Time: 7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges, Belgium

TV Info: BT Sport Europe (UK Only) / Fox Sports 1 (U.S. Only)

Live Stream: BT Sport (UK Only) / Fox Sports (U.S. only)

Form Lines

Manchester United: WWWD

Club Brugge: WWDWLL

Team News

Preud'homme remains beset with injury problems, and can add to that the suspension of Brandon Mechele, who was dismissed in the first leg. Seven further players are out of action, per the Telegraph again, including stars like Lior Refaelov.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

For United, David De Gea's absence from the team continues, as he was not selected for the travelling squad, per ManUtd.com. Also absent are Phil Jones, still recovering from the bout of thrombosis that has seen him miss the beginning of the season and Marcos Rojo, again, per the club's official website.

Van Gaal said during his pre-match press conference that Rojo would play 60 minutes against an Ajax youth side on Thursday this week, in order to build up his match fitness, per Samuel Luckhurst of Manchester Evening News on Twitter.

Predicted Lineups

As mentioned during the preview for the first leg, Club Brugge's injury problems and Preud'homme's proclivity to spring a surprise makes predicting their line-up a real challenge.

United's line-up is a little easier to predict, although there are certainly a few spots up for grabs. The back five will presumably remain exactly as they have been. With the goal conceded in the home leg of this tie the only time they have been breached this season, there seems little need to change a winning formula.

The questions begin in midfield. Bastian Schweinsteiger started very strongly against Newcastle United, but appeared to slow—possibly through a minor knock—as the first half progressed. Michael Carrick could win his place in the starting XI back as a consequence of that.

United fans have been crying out for the inclusion of Ander Herrera to help their generally misfiring attack. Van Gaal said in his press conference on Tuesday that he would need every player in the squad over the course of the season, via Luckhurst again.

It seems unlikely that this will be the game which sees Herrera back in the side, given United have a two-goal buffer.

If Memphis Depay had not been so effective during the first leg, Ashley Young could have been more likely to see first-team action, as the onus on United is to defend a lead rather than chase the game. However, that seems a long shot.

Fellaini was alongside Van Gaal during the press conference, and the manager said he intended to use the Belgian as a No. 9 or No. 10 this season, per James Robson of Manchester Evening News on Twitter. A first start could be in the offing for the man whose late goal was so crucial at Old Trafford.

Update: Apparently Herrera will be starting after all!

Players to Watch

Abdoulay Diaby led the line for Brugge against United and got in a couple of good positions. On one occasion he was muscled off the ball by Daley Blind after he looked to have beaten the Dutchman for pace. More often, his teammates simply could not find the killer ball, as they wasted several good counter-attacking opportunities.

Vazquez's form could be key to them making better use of those opportunities this time. As Van Gaal said ahead of the first leg (via Jamie Jackson of the Guardian) "he has good vision," and that vision will be crucial as FCB look to unlock United's mean defence.

For United, that mean defence could play a key role here. The full-backs have been consistently excellent so far this season, from a defensive standpoint. Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian have been an extremely efficient defensive unit, and their performances should be worth watching.

Memphis will, of course, be looking to repeat his heroics from the first leg.

One player to watch, although not necessarily in a positive sense, is Wayne Rooney. His season so far has just not taken off, and United fans and Van Gaal will be watching on anxiously, hoping their No. 9 for the season ends his long goalscoring drought.

Key Battle

With Preud'homme's suggestion that his side require "a miracle" it is tempting to suggest here that the key battle is between Van Gaal and the Fates. However, to be a little more grounded, the midfield battle will be vital. For Brugge to overturn the deficit, they will need to unsettle United's effective defensive shape and now-routine ability to hold onto the ball.

Francois Walschaerts/Associated Press

Their best chance comes with an early goal, and the opportunity for the noise of the stadium and the pressure of the occasion to get to United.

Odds

The odds for the game, at the time of writing are, per Odds Checker:

Club Brugge Win: 10-3

Draw: 11-4

Manchester Untied Win: 10-11