Wolfsburg vs. Manchester Utd: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

When the draw for the Champions League group stages was made, Wolfsburg vs. Manchester United at the Volkswagen Arena was not a tie either side would have wanted to carry tremendous importance. Both Die Wolfe and the Red Devils would have hoped to have qualification wrapped up by this point, however neither has. 

Three teams can still go through from Group B. Wolfsburg have nine points, United are on eight and PSV Eindhoven are in third place with seven. CSKA Moscow are out of contention, languishing on four points. 

If PSV win their home game with CSKA, only a victory in Germany would see United through. A draw is good enough for Wolfsburg, though a win would guarantee they top the group. 

If PSV fail to beat the Moscow side, then both United and Wolfsburg progress, but Old Trafford manager Louis van Gaal was clear that his side "can't rely on the result of the other game."

Wolfsburg head coach Dieter Hecking was in confident mood during his pre-match press conference, telling journalists: "We will have to play with real enthusiasm and drive. Then we can beat anyone—even United." 

With injuries taking a heavy toll on United's squad, this crunch test will have a big bearing on how Van Gaal's season is perceived. Missing out on the knockout stages would be a serious blow.

Date: Tuesday, 8 December 2015

Time: 7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg, Germany

TV Info: BT Sport Europe (UK Only) / Fox Sports 1 (US Only)

Live Stream: BT Sport (UK Only) / Fox Sports 2 Go (US Only)

Form Lines

Wolfsburg: LLWWDL

Manchester United: WWWDDD  

Team News

According to Eurosport, "Wolfsburg have doubts over Luiz Gustavo and Ricardo Rodriguez, while defender Robin Knoche is out with an ankle injury."  

For United, things are more complicated. Their official site reported:

"

Captain Wayne Rooney is absent after missing Saturday's goalless draw against West Ham United with an ankle injury, while Morgan Schneiderlin did not travel after being forced off during the game against the Hammers with a hip problem. Marcos Rojo, Ander Herrera, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia are all still absent.

"

The crisis brings with it an opportunity for a number of young players who have travelled with the squad, including Nick Powell, who "is included in the senior squad for the first time since recovering from a long-term hamstring injury," per ManUtd.com.

Predicted Lineups

The above lineup assumes that Rodriguez will be available but Gustavo will not. Picking a formation for Hecking's side is a challenge given he has used 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-1-4-1 and 4-4-1-1 systems this season. 

It is also a challenge thanks to the excellent array of attacking talent he has available to him. Andre Schurrle could easily be involved in this game, as could Vieirinha. 

The above line up sees a couple of changes from the United team that started the game at Old Trafford against West Ham on Saturday.

Memphis Depay is in the side ahead of Jesse Lingard, thanks to the bright cameo he gave at the end of the game.

It would be great to see both Memphis and Lingard in the side, perhaps at the expense of Marouane Fellaini, but the Belgium international was a good attacking outlet for United against the Hammers, albeit he missed the game's best chance.

Given that a draw will do United no good, the additional attacking quality of Ashley Young could see him return to the side at full-back in place of Paddy McNair, with Matteo Darmian switched back to the right. Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger will surely start in the middle in the absence of Schneiderlin.

Players to Watch 

Max Kruse is enjoying a very fine season for Die Wolfe, with five goals and three assists in the league and one of each in the Champions League so far.

He is averaging 2.8 key passes per game in the Champions League and whether he plays up front alongside Bas Dost or deeper in attacking midfield, he will likely be a threat for Hecking's men.

Dost is having another good season, with seven league goals and one Champions League goal in the bag already. Wolfsburg have plenty of reasons to be confident about their ability to score a goal. 

Goals are at an enormous premium at United, who have scored just seven goals in the 10 games since they put three past Everton. The forwards will once again be the players under the spotlight, particularly Martial, who missed an excellent chance toward the end of the West Ham game. 

The 20-year-old has not scored since United's last European away game on 21 October, so he would benefit greatly from making the difference for his side away in Europe again.

A word here should also go to Daley Blind and Fellaini, the combination of whom should provide plenty of threat from corners, an area of United's play which has improved considerably since the Dutchman was assigned them. 

Key Battle

Given United need to win and Wolfsburg do not, then Martial and Fellaini's clash with Naldo and Dante would seem key. However, given United's difficulties in finding the back of the net, then Blind and Chris Smalling will have to be at their very best to deal with Dost and his supporting cast. 

Jon Super/Associated Press

Wolfsburg gave United a pretty torrid time at Old Trafford, in spite of the Red Devils' eventual win there, and Smalling and Blind will doubtless have their hands full. David De Gea seems unlikely to have a quiet night.

Odds

Wolfsburg Win: 17/10

Draw: 5/2

Manchester United Win: 233/100

Odds for the game correct at the time of writing, per Odds Shark.

All advanced statistics per WhoScored. Quotations obtained firsthand where not otherwise stated.