Manchester United take on Belgian side Club Brugge in the Champions League play-offs first-leg Tuesday night at Old Trafford. Club Brugge had a mixed pre-season, winning just once. But they have started the Belgian domestic season well and four games in, sit joint top on the table, level on points with six other teams therefore sitting second alphabetically.
In terms of their Champions League campaign, they lost 2-1 to Greek side Panathanaikos in the first-leg but rallied to win the second-leg at home 3-0 putting them through on aggregate to take on Manchester United in the final hurdle before the group stage. They do however have no less than nine injuries – a perfect time for Manchester United to take them on.
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Here are three key battles to look out for, and the players who can also be a factor in each individual battle. It is a team game after all, especially for Club Brugge who are a team centred around building team-plays going forward with short, direct passes and clear and effective defensive cohesion.
Chris Smalling (#12) vs Jose Izquierdo (#22)
Primarily a left-winger which could therefore haunt Matteo Darmian, Izquierdo can also play as a central striker and scored 15 goals last season. Although interestingly, he failed to find the net in six Europa League games last season. But he was on the score-sheet in the 2-1 first-leg defeat to Panathanaikos.
The Spaniard has also only played twice so far and could be an injury doubt although news regarding Izquierdo’s situation is hard to come by. He did not feature against KV Kortrijk at the weekend and attacking duties were taken up chiefly by attacking midfielder Victor Vazquez (#7) and striker Obbi Oulare (#58).
If Izquierdo is injured then also watch out for French striker Abdoualy Diaby (#10) who could be involved. Another attacking option for the Belgian side is the awesomely named 20-year old Belgian Nikola Storm (#42) who has already played 40 times for Club Brugge. To put it simply, despite being ravaged by injuries, Club Brugge has a lot of exciting young talent to utilise.
Smalling meanwhile has continued to impress with every game, showing signs of maturity. The lack of it was his downfall last season but has since made up for it. The rest of the defensive corps have also improved. Sergio Romero has settled in well, and Matteo Darmian has impressed all. Luke Shaw has done the same, showing shades of his attacking flair back at Southampton.
This test will be much different against an enigmatic Club Brugge who play very fluid, attacking football. But having kept two clean sheets so far, Smalling and the rest of the Manchester United back-line are full of confidence going into this game.
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Morgan Schneiderlin (#28) vs Victor Vasquez (#7)
The midfield battle will be fiercely contested by these two, with Schneiderlin juggling attacking and defending at the same time. The former Southampton man has impressed since joining Manchester United but will experience his first taste of European football. His job is to keep United moving, and faces off against Vasquez whose job is to avoid and bypass Schneiderlin and create opportunities for the Club Brugge strikers.
Vasquez grew up playing football with Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique and Lionel Messi at La Maisa with Barcelona. He shares may traits with these stellar names making the battle extremely exciting. He only failed to make the grade because Xavi and Iniesta were undroppable and so moved to Club Brugge in 2011.
Schneiderlin will also have to contend with Club Brugge captain Timmy Simons (#3), a really physical player who will be protecting the attacking players by keeping the midfield in check and going head to head with players like Schneiderlin, and keeping an eye on United’s attackers too for good measure. It will be interesting to see how Memphis Depay copes with the physicality.
Wayne Rooney (#10) vs Brandon Mechele (#44)
Rooney was expected to be firing in the goals this season left, right and centre this season but two games in and no goals. He also hasn’t played very well either and doesn’t look like improving any time soon. If he wants to break that record for most goals scored by a United player he better start quickish.
Javier Hernandez could make his first appearance of the season. If he doesn’t, he could be in contention for the Newcastle game at the weekend as a result. Memphis Depay will certainly start against Brugge, another hoping to score his first-goal for the club.
Rooney faces a promising young centre-back in Brandon Mechele, who has attracted interest from around Europe. Celtic have been reportedly very keen on signing the 22 year old Belgian youth-international. Mechele is in his third-year with the senior team but has not faced a striker quite like Rooney yet making this a daunting prospect, but something the youngster will relish.
Rooney also has a new goalkeeper on his side. Turkish keeper Sinan Bolat (#38) is currently on loan from Porto due to the sale of last seasons first-choice goalkeeper, the Australian Matthew Ryan to Atletico Madrid. With newboy Bolat possibly in between the sticks and plenty of injuries in all positions, it is the perfect time for Rooney to open his account this season.
If he doesn’t then questions will begin to be asked for sure.