Man United will look to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League as they face Club Brugge in the first leg of their playoff clash on Tuesday night.
United missed out on Europe for the first time in 19 years after a disappointing seventh-placed finish in the Premier League in the season before last.
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However, Louis Van Gaal guided them back into the top four last year, but they still have to qualify to ensure that they participate in the competition.
After back-to-back 1-0 wins in the Premier League, the Dutchman has maximum points so far this season, but it hasn’t come in the most convincing of fashion.
Wayne Rooney is still struggling to have an influence, while Memphis Depay is still settling with his new teammates and system.
Nevertheless, there have been plenty of positives too for Van Gaal as his side looks much more compact and solid this year so far, and it promises to be an interesting campaign ahead.
However, they can’t afford any slip-ups at Old Trafford on Tuesday, as a negative result could have disastrous consequences.
That is why it is likely that the Dutchman will go with a strong side even though he has a tough schedule to navigate with a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday to look forward to.
Meanwhile, Brugge have already beaten Panathinaikos to reach the playoff round, and although they haven’t played in the group stages since 2005, they will be eager to cause an upset and silence the Old Trafford faithful by taking a positive result home with them.
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