United travel to Belgium with comfortable lead
Manchester United have set off on their travels as they head to Belgium to take on Club Brugge in the second-leg of their Champions League Qualifier.
The Red Devils have a comfortable lead going into the return fixture thanks to a 3-1 win at Old Trafford last week, and they will fancy their chances of securing their spot in the Champions League proper.
Despite going 1-0 down early on thanks to a Michael Carrick own-goal, a brace from Memphis Depay and a late goal from Marouane Fellaini put Louis Van Gaal‘s men in full control of the tie.
The only team news from the United camp so far is that both centre-backs, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo will miss out, whilst it’s not yet clear whether Bastian Schweinsteiger will keep him spot in the first-team.
Van Gaal and Fellaini Pre-Match Thoughts
Speaking to the club’s official website, both Van Gaal and Fellaini have discussed the second-leg, and despite the comfortable lead, the manager is not ruling out an upset in Belgium.
He said: “It is a difficult ground, and it is not a simple opponent.
“I have read in the papers in England that it is simple and it is a walkover, but it isn’t like that. Brugge against Panathinaikos, they won 3-0 [in the previous round].
“It is still a game, but because of our third goal we now have more confidence.”
As for Fellaini, he is not bothered by his late goal last week against a team from his homeland.
He added: “I don’t care, the most important thing is the win. But we have to be careful in the second leg and, as I said, we will press them and we have the quality to win there as well. We have to be ready.”
Travelling Squad for United
Below is a list of the full squad United are taking to Belgium.
Full travelling squad: Sergio Romero, Sam Johnstone; Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian, Paddy McNair, Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling; Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Ashley Young; Memphis Depay, Javier Hernandez, Adnan Januzaj, Wayne Rooney.
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
