Manchester United made a comeback into the Champions League this season after missing out in the previous year. They demolished Club Brugge on their way to the group stage of this Elite competition. They have some quality players in their squad who can easily win them games on their day and Van Gaal will be delighted if his club can come from this game with a victory.
Phillip Cocu will want his team to repeat their performance in the weekend 6-0 victory against Cambuur. He will face Memphis Depay who has joined the Red of Manchester from PSG. This match will be an intriguing contest as both teams are fresh from victories and full off confidence. This article is a preview of the match between PSV and Manchester United. It also includes Team news and Predictions.
The PSV Eindhoven vs Manchester Untied match will be played on Tuesday the 15th of September at the Phillips Stadion in Eindhoven. The kick-off is scheduled at 7:45 pm BST (12:45 am on Wednesday IST)
Team News:
PSV will be high on hopes after their recent performance and will want to take all three points from this game. They will, however, miss the services of Jetro Willems and Josefzoon both of whom are suffering from injuries.
For Louis van Gaal, Wayne Rooney is still not fit to take part in this game and has not made it to the squad for the trip to Eindhoven. Michael Carrick who was withdrawn at halftime a week ago playing for England took part against Liverpool but may not find his place against PSV due to lack of match fitness.
United fans will be ecstatic with their weekend victory against rivals Liverpool. They scored thrice in the second half and conceded once in the second half. But the attack that they possess lacks a bit of a bite. Fellaini alone leading the line may not be a good idea as was seen in the first half at Old Trafford. Depay was also lethargic on the flank and needs to step up against his former club if he wants United to start their Champions League campaign with a victory.
PSV are also in a rich vein of form and have not lost a game in their last 5 matches. They put 6 past Cambuur on Sunday and are high on confidence. They are playing at home and the atmosphere may be intimidating for the English club. That said, the quality that Van Gaal’s side possess, PSV will have a hard time playing if they work together.
The biggest battle may well be between the mid-field of both sides as PSV usually like to dominate possession. It will be good to see if United sit back to soak up the pressure or will try to fight them with the game of their own.
Expected Lineups:
PSV: Zeinstra; Anderson, Mac-Intosch, Van Der Laan, Andriuskevicius; Masek, Overgoor, Van De Streek; Narsingh, De Jong, Rosheuvel.
Manchester United: De Gea; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw; Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Herrera; Depay, Fellaini, Mata.
Predictions:
PSV will start the game with a slight edge at home and also on form but the English giants are hard to beat on their day and PSV may well have to play out of their skins to get something out of the game. This game is not easy to call as both clubs have equal chances of running away with the match.
Our Prediction: PSV Eindhoven 2-2 Manchester United.