Club Brugge vs Man Utd preview
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Thursday 20 February 2020 21:33, UK
Team news, stats and predictions as Manchester United travel to Club Brugge in the last 32 of the Europa League.
Team news
Odion Ighalo is in contention to start Manchester United's Europa League last-32 game against Club Bruges on Thursday, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
"I won't tell the team today but we will have to rotate with all the games coming up," said Solskjaer. "He's one that could start, we've not 100 per cent decided yet."
"Odion is a different type of striker. We have seen him in training. He knows how to play as a centre-forward - he's a fantastic professional and human. We need to give him as much game time as possible."
Meanwhile, Solskjaer says it is "touch and go" whether Marcus Rashford will be fit enough to return before the end of the season and warned he may miss Euro 2020.
Rashford suffered a double stress fracture in his back after coming on as a substitute in United's 1-0 win over Wolves in their FA Cup replay on January 15. It was initially hoped he would be out for around six weeks but he now faces an extended spell on the sidelines, with Solskjaer admitting it is unclear exactly when Rashford will be fit enough to return.
"I would hope he's playing this season. It will just be touch and go towards the end. Hopefully we can get through this tournament and prolong the season. It takes time, I'm not a doctor. I was hoping he would recover quicker than what it looks like he's going to be out for - another few months definitely. If he's not fit enough he won't go [to the Euros]."
When pushed as to why the time frame for how long Rashford may out for had been extended, Solskjaer added: "He had a scan and it was a more serious fracture than we hoped and expected. He felt fine a few days before that. I didn't know it takes that time to recover. When it heals he will be stronger for it so it's important we don't rush it and we don't do that."
Opta stats
- Club Brugge are winless in their last 10 meetings with English sides in all competitions (D2 L8) since a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the 1994-95 Cup Winner's Cup quarter-final.
- Manchester United and Club Brugge have faced each other twice before, with the Red Devils winning 3-1 away and 4-0 at home in 2015-16 Champions League qualifying.
- Club Brugge were eliminated from the Europa League at this stage last season, last progressing from a knockout tie in the competition in 2014-15 (last 16 vs Besiktas).
- Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 10 Europa League knockout stage games (W6 D4), since a 0-2 loss at Liverpool in March 2016. Indeed, they won the competition the last time they were in it in 2016-17.
- Man Utd have fielded 32 different players in the Europa League this season, more than any other side. They've also had 11 different teenage players play for them in the competition this season, more than double that of any other side.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
I find this game so hard to predict. Club Brugge are breezing the Belgian league, having lost just the one game in 26, but nothing is stronger than the Premier League. The battle for a Champions League spot is quite incredible and tells you all you need to know.
Manchester United have played superbly twice against Manchester City, and three times against Chelsea this season alone. They are supposed to have these massive results in the locker when they go away from home, and this is why it is hard to predict.
Bruno Fernandes looks a decent player, while Anthony Martial was in the mood against Chelsea - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team selection was spot on for the counter-attack. The same opportunity presents itself here. I was amazed watching Eric Bailly; he has pace, he is tenacious and he was brilliant at Chelsea. That was the player I was used to seeing before he joined Man Utd. Maybe it is time for him to prove himself again.
They will not force it and just play on the counter-attack here. After Monday, I have to go and judge them accordingly, and I think they will win here.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
