Abhranil Roy
Manchester United Vs PSV Preview
Manchester United could confirm their spot in the Final 16 of this year’s UEFA Champions League with a win over PSV Eindhoven today night at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have been unbeaten in Europe since their opening day loss to the Dutch side, a game which also saw Luke Shaw being ruled out for the rest of the season due to a horrifying challenge from Hector Moreno. United, however, have had a lot of injury problems of late, with 7 first team regulars sitting out in the last gasp win over Watford in last weekend, and 3 more picking up knocks during the game. However, manager Louis van Gaal is confident of picking up all 3 points, and speaking to reporters ahead of the game, he said: ‘I still think [we are on schedule]. If we beat PSV, then we will have qualified. You always have to win your home matches.’
This game could see Memphis Depay lineup against his former team once again, and United fans will be hoping to see him on the score sheet once again. PSV are currently 2nd in the group, but they could go on top if they win tonight. Philip Cocu, PSV’s manager has requested United fans not to boo Hector Moreno, the player who caused the double fracture in Luke Shaw’s leg, and the club has even posted a pic showcasing a “Get Well Soon Shaw” banner on their Facebook page.
TEAM NEWS:
Van Gaal could be without a host of first-team players for the visit of PSV on Wednesday, after Antonio Valencia, Luke Shaw, Marouane Fellaini, James Wilson, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial and Michael Carrick all missed the trip to Watford last weekend.
Additionally, Ander Herrera, Phil Jones and Juan Mata all had to be substituted during the game after picking up knocks and while Martial and Rooney returned to training on Tuesday, van Gaal would not be drawn on their involvement.Six players missed training at Carrington on Tuesday morning – Bastian Schweinsteiger, Herrera, Valencia, Jones, Carrick and Shaw – and Van Gaal may well have to field a second-string side for the match.
PSV will be without Menno Koch and Jetro Willems, who are both struggling with knee problems, while Maxime Lestienne is also a doubt for Cocu’s men.
STAT ATTACK:
1. United have been unbeaten in their last 7 Champions League home games, winning six of them. Their last defeat came at the hands of Real Madrid way back in March 2013.
2. PSV have lost their two away games against Man Utd: a 1-0 defeat in the 1984/85 UEFA Cup and 3-1 in the 2000/01 Champions League.
3. PSV have lost nine of their last 11 Champions League away games.
4. PSV have not scored more than two goals in their last 34 Champions League games. The last time they did was in the 2005 semi-final second leg against AC Milan (3-1).
5. Wayne Rooney has scored 30 goals in the Champions League, more than any other English player in the competition.
PREDICTION:
A 2-1 win for United, keeping in mind that they have now developed a habit of scoring late and winning games. The combination of Chris Smalling and David De Gea will ensure that United don’t concede more than one.
