Manchester Utd vs. Wolfsburg: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Louis van Gaal faces a significant test as Dieter Hecking brings his side to town for Manchester United vs. Wolfsburg.
United come into this game on the back of three straight wins, having scored three goals in each of those games.
Wolfsburg, on the other hand, only managed a home draw against Hannover 96 as they looked to bounce back from last week's 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Bayern Munich and a rampant Robert Lewandowski.
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However, the Germans sit above United in Group B, having won their opener against CSKA Moscow in Wolfsburg. United, of course, lost against PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, making a win here even more crucial.
During his press conference on Tuesday, Van Gaal said, via the club's website, "You need to win all your home matches in the Champions League otherwise it shall be very difficult. It is still possible but difficult so it's important that we win."
A draw would be a tremendous result for Wolfsburg after their good start. Last season's Bundesliga runners-up certainly have the tools to hurt United if they are at anything less than their best.
Date: Wednesday, 30 September
Time: 7:45 p.m. BST / 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
TV Info: BT Sport Europe (U.K. Only) / Fox Sports 1 (U.S. Only)
Live Stream: BT Sport (U.K. Only) / Fox Soccer 2 Go (U.S. Only)
Form Lines
Manchester United: LWLWWW
Wolfsburg: WDWWLD
Team News
United, having lost Luke Shaw to a broken leg in Eindhoven, are dealing with a couple of additional "minor injuries," according to Van Gaal.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, per ManUtd.com, Van Gaal said, "I think Michael Carrick shall not play tomorrow . The other two (Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia) we have to wait and see. They have minor injuries so I don't want to take any risks."
With Marcos Rojo also out, per Richard Parry of the Evening Standard, United's defensive resources are stretched pretty thinly. United's website also suggest Paddy McNair is "doubtful after being unavailable for the Ipswich Town and Sunderland games."
As for Wolfsburg, ManUtd.com reported, "Vieirinha and Koen Casteels have sat out the Wolves' last five matches, while Robin Knoche is sidelined for another two weeks. Luiz Gustavo missed Saturday's match with Hannover due to a knee problem."
Predicted Lineups
The above lineup works on the assumption Valencia is unable to play. If that is the case, the fit-again Phil Jones can partner Chris Smalling at centre-back, with Daley Blind shifting over to left-back.
In midfield, with Carrick out and Herrera doubtful, the partnership of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin seems the logical choice.
The forwards all provided either goals or assists—or both—against Sunderland, so there is no real need for changes there.
As for Wolfsburg, the lineup above is the same as one which started against Hannover and assuming Gustavo is not fit, seems a good bet to start at Old Trafford.
Against Bayern Munich last week, Hecking played a 4-4-2, per WhoScored.com. The more defensively sound structure of the 4-1-4-1 above could help constrict the space available for United to capitalise on their passing game.
Players to Watch
Manchester United: Anthony Martial
Martial's brilliant start meant it was almost a surprise that he did not get on the score sheet against Sunderland. He did, however, get his first United assist, and he has been a vital component in the attacking unit that has seen the Red Devils hit that impressive record of nine goals in their last three games. Going back further, they have in fact scored 13 goals in the five games since Martial was signed.
It is a far cry from the team that struggled to make much of an impression on the score board earlier in the season.
Wolfsburg: Julian Draxler
Bas Dost has five Bundesliga goals to his name already this season. However it was Draxler—brought in to replace Kevin De Bruyne after his move to Manchester City—who was the outstanding performer in Wolfsburg's win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.
He scored the only goal of the game and made a remarkable five key passes.
The former Schalke man had a superb game, hitting all three of his shots on target—including his goal, a scrappy affair as he latched on to the rebounded save from his header, which he also got on target.
Draxler had more touches than any other player in the game and completed an impressive 90.5 per cent of his 84 passes.
Key Battle
Morgan Schneiderlin vs. Julian Draxler
If Schneiderlin can keep Draxler quiet, particularly on the counter-attack, United will be in a much better position to get the points they need out of the game.
Schneiderlin will be occupied with helping to recycle possession when United do have the ball, but when they lose it, he will have to be at his best, particularly if Blind and Matteo Darmian are caught upfield—which is a risk they will certainly take as they help to provide United with some much-needed width.
There are other battles which will be important—Martial vs. Naldo and Dante, for example, and Wayne Rooney vs. Joshua Guilavogui, but from United's point of view, the job Schneiderlin does on Draxler will be key.
Odds
The following are the odds for the game, at the time of writing, per Odds Shark.
Manchester United Win: 4/5
Draw: 71/25
Wolfsburg Win: 4/1
All advanced statistics per WhoScored.com.
