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Wolfsburg vs Manchester United. UEFA Champions League Group B.

Volkswagen ArenaAttendance26,400.

Wolfsburg 3

  • Naldo (13th minute, 84th minute)
  • Vieirinha (29th minute)

Manchester United 2

  • A Martial (10th minute)
  • J Guilavogui (82nd minute own goal)

Manchester United travel to Wolfsburg in crunch Champions League clash

Image: Louis van Gaal's Manchester United side face a testing trip to Wolfsburg in the Champions League

Only victory will guarantee Manchester United's passage to the last 16 of the Champions League, but they have major injury worries ahead of Tuesday's trip to wounded Wolfsburg.

United dropped to fourth in the Premier League on Saturday after recording their sixth stalemate of the season at home to West Ham.

And boss Louis van Gaal is all too aware that their killer instinct must return by the time they take to the field in Germany, otherwise they are likely to exit Europe's elite competition at the group stage for only the fourth time in their history.

The Dutchman was expected to lead his team through their group untroubled but after drawing 0-0 at home to PSV Eindhoven last month, there is a real danger they could drop into the Europa League.

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Captain Wayne Rooney was ruled out of the United's trip to Wolfsburg with an ankle injury, leaving United with just one available striker in Anthony Martial. Morgan Schneiderlin is also ruled out of the tie.

Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia, Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw and Phil Jones are also missing while Paddy McNair was substituted against West Ham and may now miss the crunch clash.

"Paddy McNair has an ankle problem and Schneiderlin is a little bit stiff in the hip, so we have to wait and see as always on that," Van Gaal said.

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"I hope they can play on Tuesday but it is a very short [turnaround] so it is a very big question mark."

Wayne Rooney walks off after the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven
Image: Wayne Rooney has been ruled out of Tuesday's clash

United are currently a point behind Wolfsburg and need a win to guarantee progression to the round of 16, or a favour from CSKA Moscow at PSV Eindhoven in the other group game. A draw would be enough if PSV also fail to win.

Finishing top of Group B will mean the three-time winners will avoid the likes of reigning champions Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

United lost at the same stage four years ago when a 2-1 defeat at FC Basel saw them bow out in the 2011/12 group stage and Van Gaal's side are still looking for their first away victory in the group for this campaign, which doesn't bode well.

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United's overall away record against sides from Germany is won five, lost five with four draws although their supporters have good memories of their last trip to Wolfsburg when former England striker Michael Owen scored a hat-trick in their 3-1 win in December 2009 as the Red Devils reached the quarter-finals.

Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking will be out to repair damaged pride against United after their 29-game unbeaten home run came to an end against Borussia Dortmund at the weekend.

A draw against Van Gaal's side will be enough for Wolfsburg to progress beyond the group stage for the first time, and a win would secure first place in Group B.

Shinji Kagawa of Dortmund celebrates scoring the winning goal at Wolfsburg with his team mates
Image: Shinji Kagawa hit the winner for Dortmund against Wolfsburg at the weekend

In all competitions, the Bundesliga side have lost just four of their last 42 games at the Volkswagen Arena and have a 100 per cent record there in the Champions League this term.

"We have to win the game to progress, so we have to get back to business and prepare for what is a huge game for us," said Hecking.

Opta Stats

Wolfsburg have played the Red Devils three times previously in the Champions League; losing all of them.

The German club have lost their last seven meetings with English sides in Europe (Man Utd, Fulham and Everton).

United have only lost once in their previous six visits to Germany in the Champions League group stages (W3 D2); scoring eight goals over their most recent two visits.

Wolfsburg have won both of their home Champions League matches this term, keeping clean sheets in those games. 

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Charlie Nicholas' prediction

Well, United need to win and focus on doing so as I expect PSV will get the three points they need with CSKA already out of contention. The problem is that if you start worrying about all the scenarios it can over-complicate things and distract you.

Wolfsburg are fifth in the Bundesliga and, in Bas Dost and Max Kruse, they have goals in them, particularly at home, which is unlike United. I covered United at the weekend and I actually thought it was the best they've played in a while. They had 21 attempts but only one on target and the fans are really starting to get concerned, booing them off after the game.

The real worry for me is, as strong as they've been at the back, I'm not sure they have the goals in them when it counts and I think they're going to go out.

Charlie predicts: 2-1 and Bas Dost to score first (33/1 with Sky Bet)

Betting

Underdogs Manchester United are 2/1 shots to clinch the victory needed to guarantee their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League at Wolfsburg. The German outfit have won both their home matches at the Volkswagen Arena this season to nil and are 11/8 to win or 23/10 to secure a point which would be enough to see them through.

United have lost only once in their six previous visits to Germany in the group stages but can be backed at 8/15 to win or draw in the Double Chance market.

With Wayne Rooney side-lined Anthony Martial is 6/1 to net the opening goal or 9/4 to net anytime. Sky Sports football pundit Charlie Nicholas expects Wolfsburg to edge it 2-1 with Dost netting the opener at 33/1. Check out all our pundit tips here.

Watch Manchester United in Premier League action at Bournemouth in the Saturday Night Football from 5.00pm on Sky Sports 1 HD.

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