Defeat would be disastrous for Manchester United tonight. They must beat Wolfsburg to secure safe passage to the last 16 of the Champions League.
United are second with the Bundesliga club leading by a point in Group B ahead of tonight’s clash at the Volkswagen Arena.
Ahead of the game United’s inconsistent form and struggles in front of goal have dominated the discourse.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has insisted that he is "satisfied" with his team's performances, despite scoring just one goal in their last three matches:
“I am pleased with the squad,” van Gaal said in his pre-match press conference
“When I have to reconsider our season I will say our matches against Arsenal and Crystal Palace were the matches when we were not the better team.”
“I know that we must score goals. As a manager I know we must score but when you ask about the performance as a team, I am satisfied.”
If United fail to beat the Germans and PSV claim three points in Eindhoven against CSKA Moscow, the Premier League club face the indignity of playing in the Europa League.
Midfielder believes it was vital for United to advance in the Champions League, the game could shape their season. He’s happy to handle the pressure:
I hope there are many more seasons to come with United and there’s still more to achieve in the competition”
“I feel very good at the moment. We have experience in the team and we have young players with quality in the team.”
“So, if we do our job well in the group, then I think we can achieve a lot. I want to win titles and I think United is also used to winning titles, so that is definitely my goal.”
“But for those types of moments, we all have to work very hard together and always try to improve ourselves. Hopefully we will get there.”
Stat Attack!
- Wolfsburg have played the Red Devils three times previously in the Champions League; losing all of them.
- The German club have lost their last seven meetings with English sides in Europe (Man Utd, Fulham and Everton).
- United have only lost once in their previous six visits to Germany in the Champions League group stages (W3 D2); scoring eight goals over their most recent two visits.
- Wolfsburg have won both of their home Champions League matches this term, keeping clean sheets in those games.
- Manchester United secured first place in their group in this fixture six years ago when Michael Owen scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win. Edin Dzeko scored the consolation for the hosts that day.
- Wolfsburg have lost their last five matches in Europe versus English sides (Manchester United, Everton twice, Fulham twice).
- Louis van Gaal, as Bayern Munich head coach won three of his four matches versus Wolfsburg (D1).
