With Manchester United making their return to European football after a year of absence, Old Trafford gears up to host their first Champions League tie since April 1, 2014.
Louis Van Gaal’s crew, pointless and in search of their first win, will welcome German side Wolsburg to the Theatre of Dreams with the hopes of securing victory in front of their own crowd, unlike Arsenal on Tuesday and rivals Manchester City in Matchday 1.
The Red Devils endured a nightmare start to their European campaign, falling to a 2-1 away defeat to reigning Eredivisie champions PSV in a match that saw English defender Luke Shaw suffer a nasty double fracture to his right leg.
Man United will look to make amends, however, when they lock horns with last season’s Bundesliga runners-up on Wednesday, a side who tasted victory in their opening fixture, defeating CSKA Moskva 1-0 at the Volkswagen Arena.
The last time a German team turned up at the Theatre of Dreams, the Red Devils were unable to grab a win, drawing 1-1 with Bayern Munich. Nonetheless, the 20-time English Premier League champions boast an impressive record against sides from the Bundesliga.
In 14 encounters at Old Trafford, 8 have ended in victory for Manchester United, with the English giants losing only twice, 4 ending in draws.
In addition to that, Wolfsburg’s record away to English sides is atrocious. Die Wölfe have paid three visits to England, scoring in all of those encounters, but losing them all as well.
With the stats on their side, on top of their home advantage, Manchester United ace Ashley Young is feeling confident ahead of Wednesday’s tie, and believes Manchester United can enjoy a successful Champions League campaign.
"I think we're definitely suited to playing in the Champions League and I'm sure it will be a very successful campaign," said the Englishman.
"It's always nice to be in the Champions League, we fought hard to get back into it. This is what a club like United is all about, wanting to be in the biggest competitions and we’re looking forward to the game on Wednesday.
"I think you want to go out to win in every game. We had a defeat which was disappointing but the way we've bounced back from that defeat since means we'll go into this game with confidence, especially at Old Trafford.”
Van Gaal will be without Michael Carrick for the midweek European game, whilst Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrara are both doubts.
The Dutch tactician, however, will have Anthony Martial at his disposal, who has scored four goals in five games, and Wayne Rooney, who scored his first Premier League goal since April against Sunderland.
DID YOU KNOW?
The last time Manchester United and Wolfsburg met was six years ago, with the Red Devils sealing a 2-1 comeback win at Old Trafford after initially going one down courtesy of an Edin Dzeko strike.
Team sheets for Man United vs Wolfsburg
Man Utd's lineup: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Darmian; Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger; Mata, Rooney, Memphis; Martial.
Wolfsburg's lineup: Benaglio, Dante, Naldo, Rodriguez, Caligiuri, Draxler, Träsch, Guilavogui, Arnold, Kruse, Dost.
Man Utd's subs: Romero, Jones, McNair, Pereira, Young, Fellaini, Wilson.
Wolfsburg's subs: Grün, Bendtner, Schäfer, Klose, Schürrle, Jung, Seguin.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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