Manchester United finished the weekend by climbing to the summit of the Premier League table with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are now showing the signs of intent that they will challenge for trophies this year and they now face Wolfsburg in the second match day of Champions League group stages, looking for their first points of the campaign.
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United started the Champions League this year on a losing note against PSV Eindhoven, in a game that was marred by the potentially season-ending injury to Luke Shaw. On the other hand Wolfsburg started with a win over CSKA Moscow to see them into the second qualifying position.
As the two sides face off tonight, we look at the three key battles that will help in shaping up the result of this crucial match at Old Trafford.
Bastian Schweinsteiger vs Julian Draxler
Wolfsburg lost their key player Kevin De Bruyne this year as the Belgian moved to Manchester City in the summer. The Germans brought a very good replacement in the form of Julian Draxler from their rivals Schalke. The German international has started well as he has been the focal point of Wolfsburg’s attack. He has been mainly used as an attacking midfielder but at times as a winger too this year.
Louis Van Gaal fielded an attacking side against PSV Eindhoven and might play with the similar team again.The Dutch manager has handed Bastian Schweinsteiger the role as the deep lying defensive midfielder. The German captain will have to be alert against Draxler as the latter could trouble United if he has been given space. Schweinsteiger has already played against Draxler when he was at Bayern Munich and he will have to again prevent the young German from creating havoc to Manchester United’s defence.
Juan Mata vs Ricardo Rodriguez
The Red Devils were highly criticised for their lack of goals and attacking creativity at the start of the season. Van Gaal’s side has responded well to the criticism as they are now scoring freely and creating more chances, netting three goals in four of their last five matches. Mata has been key for Van Gaal in the attacking third as the Spaniard has racked up four assists and scored three goals this term.
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Wolfsburg have one of the most exciting left backs in Europe in the form of Ricardo Rodriguez. The Swiss international has been consistently doing well for the German side in recent years and was even linked with a move to Old Trafford before Luke Shaw was signed. Rodriguez holds his position well and does not allow the opponent to get the better of him. He’s also a threat from set-pieces with a fantastic shot and delivery on him should United allow him too close to goal.
Mata will have the considerable task of dragging Rodriguez away from the flank to allow the right back has ample amount of space to venture ahead. Mata will be looking to continue his good form and be the attacking spearhead of his team.
Daley Blind vs Bas Dost
Manchester United haven’t been very generous this year in terms of conceding goals. This is largely due to the new centre back partnership of Chris Smalling and Daley Blind. Blind has been one of the key players for United under the reign of Van Gaal, more-so since his move to centre-back this season. Blind is among the best passera in the team and he showed it with two cracking diagonal balls against Ipswich Town and Sunderland which led to goals. Despite being a centre back he has been collecting assists this term, not to mention his goal against Liverpool.
Bafetimbi Gomis did a fine job on Blind for Swansea, which led to United’s only defeat in the league so far. Wolfsburg would be looking to exploit the same thing with the help of Bas Dost. The Dutch striker will try to torment his countryman with his physical presence and Wolfsburg will be looking to create opportunities mainly through the left hand side of the defence. Blind has been very good positionally so he will try to give no space for Dost to score and will need the help of Smalling and Schneiderlin to neutralise them.
Next: Carrick, Herrera and Valencia ruled out of Wolfsburg clash