Monday 7 December 2015 17:04, UK
Nicklas Bendtner believes failure to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase would be "catastrophic" for a club of Manchester United's size.
Wolfsburg face United at the Volkswagen Arena in the final match of the group stage on Tuesday evening, with both clubs locked in a three-way battle with PSV Eindhoven to secure one of two qualification spots for the last 16.
Bendtner anticipates a "crazy game" in Germany, as United look to avoid elimination at this point in the competition for the first time since the 2011/12 season.
Wolfsburg currently top Group B but United can guarantee progression with a victory. Should they fail to take three points, though, United will be relying on a favour from CSKA Moscow in the Netherlands. If PSV fail to win there, a draw is enough for United.
"It will be a tough game for us, because we know that if PSV win then United also have to win, and if they do that we will not qualify," said Bendtner, who joined Wolfsburg in August 2014 after being released by Arsenal.
"It's going to be a very tough game with high expectations, given the position we are in, we want to go through and we have a good chance to do that.
"We also know that the history and the club that Manchester United are, it will be catastrophic for them not to qualify for the next round."
Bendtner has played 90 minutes of European football this season across four substitute appearances, but the former Arsenal striker has four goals in all competitions, and will have plenty of support at the Volkswagen Arena.
"It's going to be a crazy game. I have 30 friends coming down and they are all Manchester United fans, I had to live with that all the years I played at Arsenal, which was quite funny," he added.
Andre Schurrle opened his Champions League account this season against CSKA Moscow in November, and the former Chelsea forward thinks his Germany team-mate Bastian Schweinsteiger is the United man Wolfsburg must keep quiet to succeed.
"On the pitch Bastian has been through almost everything, and he's achieved a great deal," Schurrle said. "He's very cool-headed, controlling the match and he's an incredible tactician. We must keep him under control and give him no liberties."
