MX23RW : Saturday, November 23 02:45:42| >> :120:16808:16808:
[monks data]
Attendance: 27,006
Club Brugge
Europa League | Round of 32
Feb 20, 2020 at 5.55pm UK
 
Manchester United logo

1-1

FT(HT: 1-1)
Martial (36')

Preview: Club Brugge vs. Manchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of the Europa League last-32 first leg between Club Brugge and Manchester United.

Manchester United will be looking to carry their positive domestic form onto the European stage as they take on Club Brugge in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.

The Red Devils are second favourites to lift the trophy in May and head to Jan Breydel Stadium on a four-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.


Match preview

Harry Maguire is mobbed after scoring Manchester United's second goal against Chelsea on February 17, 2020© Reuters

United made it three wins in their four-game unbeaten run with a 2-0 victory at Chelsea on Monday night, sealing the victory through headers in either half from Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire.

Chelsea will rightly argue that at least two big calls went against them, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will not lose any sleep over the manner of the victory.

It is a win that takes the Red Devils up to seventh in the Premier League and now within three points of fourth-placed Chelsea, while fifth place - likely to be enough to seal Champions League football next season - is only two points out of reach.

United also remain in the FA Cup, with a last-16 trip to Wayne Rooney's Derby County on the horizon, but for now all focus turns back to the Europa League after a 10-week absence.

Solskjaer's men won four, drew one and lost one of their matches en route to topping Group L. They fielded 32 different players in the first phase - more than any other side - but this is where the competition starts to become a little more serious.

Brugge are up next for United in their quest to win the competition for a second time in three years, the Belgian club having dropped down from the Champions League after finishing third in a group containing Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

There is no shame in that, of course, but Brugge last progressed from a Europa League knockout tie in 2014-15, and they are winless in their last 10 meetings with English sides in all competitions.

Philippe Clement's side lead the way at the top of the Belgian top flight and are unbeaten in 13 games. Replicating that form on the European stage is something they have struggled to achieve, however, and this could well be another hurdle that is too large to overcome.

Club Brugge's form (all competitions): DDWWDW

Manchester United's Europa League form: WDWWLW
Manchester United's form (all competitions): LLWWDW


Team News

Simon Mignolet in action for Liverpool on July 28, 2019© Reuters

Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford remain sidelined for United, but Scott McTominay and Axel Tuanzebe took part in training last week and are closing in on returns from their respective injury layoffs.

Victor Lindelof is United's only other fitness doubt after sitting out the win over Chelsea through illness, though it is not expected to be serious enough to rule him out for a second game running.

Further forward, Odion Ighalo made his debut from the bench at Stamford Bridge and is in contention to lead the line on Thursday.

Should Solskjaer opt to rotate his squad between Premier League games, the likes of Jesse Lingard, Mason Greenwood, Juan Mata, Diogo Dalot, Andreas Pereira and Phil Jones could receive minutes.

There will be a familiar face in goal for Brugge as Simon Mignolet joined on a permanent deal from Liverpool last August.

Michael Krmencik arrived from Viktoria Plzen last month and is expected to start this game, while Clinton Mata and Krepin Diatta are back available for selection after serving a European suspension.

Club Brugge possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Mata, Mechele, Deli; Diatta, Vanaken, Balanta, Vormer, Ricca; Dennis, Krmencik

Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Romero; Dalot, Jones, Maguire, Williams; McTominay, Pereira; Greenwood, Fernandes, James; Ighalo


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Club Brugge 0-2 Manchester United

United are not likely to name a full-strength side for the trip to Belgium, but whatever team Solskjaer fields should be strong enough to get the job done. Brugge have lost the previous two meetings between the sides and we are expecting a similar outcome in this first leg.



ID:390101: cacheID:390101:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8969:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho celebrates scoring their third goal which is later disallowed on February 8, 2020
Read Next:
How Man Utd could line up with Sancho, Dembele
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!