Club Brugge vs Manchester United: It's a big game for Wayne Rooney, and why Memphis Depay is the player to watch

A look ahead to the Champions League fixture at Jan Breydel Stadion

Samuel Price
Wednesday 26 August 2015 10:38 EDT
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Louis van Gaal has a word with Wayne Rooney during Tuesday's training session
Louis van Gaal has a word with Wayne Rooney during Tuesday's training session (Reuters)

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It’s a big game for…

WAYNE ROONEY: United manager Louis Van Gaal may be playing down his team’s need for a new striker, insisting that Rooney will deliver, but the thoughts of the fans were evidently the opposite against Newcastle on Saturday. Chants of ‘attack, attack, attack,’ were bellowed from the stands, as the Reds’ lack of killer instinct was once again exposed. With the fans keen for a new forward and Marouane Felliani expected to challenge for his striking position, United’s captain is in desperate need of a goal.

Best stat…

1964: The year Manchester United last went out of a European competition in a two-legged tie, having won the first leg by at least two goals. In 1964, having beaten Sporting Lisbon of Portugal 4-1 in the first leg of their European Cup Winners Cup fixture, United crashed out by losing the second leg 5-0.

Player to watch…

MEMPHIS DEPAY: The attacking-midfielder has only shown brief glimpses of the quality he possesses since joining from PSV in the summer, and is yet to open his Premier League account. However, he looked a player worthy of the fee United paid for him in the first leg of this tie, as he scored two superb goals. With Brugge likely to open up in search of the two goals they need, expect the pace of Depay to put the Belgians to the sword again.

Memphis Depay during his two-goal performance against Club Brugge
Memphis Depay during his two-goal performance against Club Brugge (GETTY IMAGES)

Past meetings…

Manchester United 3 (Depay 2, Felliani) Club Brugge 1 (Carrick OG), Champions League, August 2015

Form guide…

CLUB BRUGGE: WWDWLL

MANCHESTER UNITED: DDWWWD

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 19.45

TV: Live on BT Sport

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