Champions League play-off: Man Utd take lead to Club Brugge
Published:
It is finally Club Brugge’s turn to play host in the second leg of this Champions League play-off against Manchester United, as the Red Devils descend on the peaceful Belgian city.
At Old Trafford, United put in perhaps their best and most penetrative performance of the season so far, running out 3-1 winners.
Heavy odds-on favourites with Coral at 1/16 to cement their passage to the next round, the Mancunians are a better value bet at 27/10 to net three or more again.
Man Utd need to get off the mark early after being shut down by Newcastle United at the weekend, but Louis van Gaal is seemingly not concerned about his striker shortage.
“I have a lot of options…so I don’t think we need a striker,” stated the Dutchman, with just one week left to go in the transfer window.
Memphis Depay, who bagged a brace against the Belgians last time, is 6/1 to hit two or more again against the minnows. As the Red Devil that has most threatened to produce moments of magic, the 21-year-old is also 9/2 to notch first.
Belgium internationals Adnan Januzaj and Marouane Fellaini, who struck the final blow against Club Brugge in the reverse, are also respective 7/4 and 11/4 chances in the anytime market, should they get the nod.
Customers can alternatively back under-fire captain Wayne Rooney at 9/2 to be the one to open the scoring, and respond to his critics in familiar style.
The Blue-Black, meanwhile, did take the lead in Manchester, and are available at 13/5 to draw in 90 minutes, or 16/5 to win, which is perhaps more realistic than 8/1 for them to make the group stages.
At the Jan Breydel Stadium, young dangerman Tuur Dierckx is 10/3 in the anytime market, while Barcelona-born schemer Victor Vazquez is a 5/1 shout.
Club Brugge have plenty of options, but it was only a Michael Carrick own goal that ruined Man Utd’s hopes of a clean sheet at Old Trafford.
With David de Gea once again left out in the cold, Lucas Romero is 17/10 to help shut out the Blue-Black on the road.
Betting tip: Back menacing Memphis at 9/2 to break the deadlock
