Manchester United kick off their 2015-16 Champions League campaign with a visit to the Netherlands to face reigning Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven.
It’s the first time the Red Devils have gone to the Netherlands since a 2-0 away to Ajax in the Europa League in 2011 – when Ashley Young was a goalscorer.
Here’s what our writers expect from Tuesday night’s clash against the Rood-witten…
Spencer Thompson
On the back an assured (and hugely satisfying) home win against Liverpool, I expect United to follow this up with a win over PSV with nice scoreline that undoubtedly will not tell the full story of the games’ difficulty.
No doubt the home side can punish a potentially lackadaisical approach from the Red Devils but I believe that United’s resolute defence will stand firm against a PSV side who no longer possess the attacking talents of Wijnaldum and our very own Memphis, whom I believe will score against the side he recently left as it fits the ‘football script’ along with the more logical reason that he is currently performing at his best in Europe.
Score Prediction: PSV Eindhoven 0-2 Manchester United (Memphis, Mata)
James Browning
Our Champions League group is not as easy as it could have been, but it’s also nowhere near as difficult as was possible before the draw. PSV Eindhoven are a good team with a great manager in Phillip Cocu – but I think we’ll overcome them in what will be a tight, competitive game.
Our 3-1 win over Liverpool will give the boys huge confidence coming into Tuesday night’s match and I think that will be the edge. We’ll be missing our captain but in Ashley Young, Michael Carrick, Chris Smalling, Bastian Schweinsteiger and David de Gea, we have more than enough players with excellent leadership qualities. Anthony Martial will be absolutely buzzing after his marvellous debut goal and itching to provide the goods again in Eindhoven.
Score Prediction: PSV Eindhoven 0-1 Manchester United (Martial)
Reginaldo Rosario
United will hope to get their group stage campaign off to a flying start against PSV, and I’m confident that the Reds will come back to Manchester with three points in the bag. The Dutch champions will be full of confidence after thrashing Cambuur 6-0 at the weekend, especially with Luuk de Jong in fine form, but United will have enough firepower to get past PSV even with the likely absence of captain Wayne Rooney with a hamstring injury. I fancy Memphis to grab a goal on his return to Eindhoven, and Anthony Martial to carry on where he left off against Liverpool by notching another goal.
Score Prediction: PSV Eindhoven (de Jong) 1-2 Manchester United (Memphis, Martial)
Kieran Crumpler
After a big win against Liverpool at the weekend, ‘Louis van Gaal’s army’ will be high in confidence, a trip to Eindhoven on Tuesday will be a challenge, but I can see the Reds leaving the Philips Stadion having won the tie.No game in the Champions League is easy, but there certainly are easier games. Out of all of United’s opponents in Group B, PSV seems to be the easiest opponent away from home.
I can’t see the Reds struggling against a PSV side with any real world-class danger men, our back four has looked impressively solid in the past few games and I don’t see that changing.
Score Prediction: PSV Eindhoven 0-2 Manchester United (Memphis, Herrera)
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