PSV vs Manchester United – UEFA Champions League – Preview

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Sreya

Manchester United travel to Netherlands to face PSV Eindhoven at Philips Stadion on Tuesday, 15th September to mark their return to the UEFA Champions League. Memphis Depay will return to his former club in the opening fixture of Group B.

Manchester United are in high spirits after their 3-1 win over arch rivals Liverpool on the weekend, but PSV Eindhoven will be equally confident, if not more, having made an unbeaten start to the new Eredivisie season and coming off a 6-0 victory over Cambuur.

Team News

Louis van Gaal will be without skipper Wayne Rooney for the second consecutive game, as the centre forward is still struggling with the injury he picked up in training ahead of the Liverpool match. Phil Jones will also miss the encounter with a shin injury. James Wilson and Andreas Pereira have flown to Netherlands with the rest of the squad. New signing Anthony Martial is expected to make his first start for the club.

Jetro Willems could return to the starting lineup for PSV for the first time since the left back injured his knee in July. Florian Jozefzoon, who tore his knee ligaments back in January, is the only confirmed absentee for Philip Cocu’s side. Attacking midfielder Adam Maher will face a late fitness test before the match.

PSV Eindhoven Possible Starting Lineup: Jeroen Zoet, Santiago Arias, Jeffrey Bruma, Nicolas Isimat-Mirin, Jetro Willems, Davy Propper, Jorrit Hendrix, Andres Guardado, Luciano Narsingh, Luuk de Jong, Maxime Lestienne.

Manchester United Possible Starting Lineup: David de Gea, Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Memphis Depay, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial.

Thoughts From Both Camps

“It is a very tough draw, but on the other hand it is also great to play against Manchester United and welcome Louis van Gaal and of course Memphis Depay. We expect some tough games but it will motivate us even more.”

– Philip Cocu.

“Looking ahead to Tuesday’s Champions League tie, in the club, we’re all very excited about this competition and we know how important a positive start would be. PSV is an historic team in European football.”

– Juan Mata.

Contributor’s Pick

Both these clubs met each other for the last time in 2000, when Manchester United ran out 3-1 winners. According to Head-2-Head statistics, Manchester United have won of 50% its encounters with PSV Eindhoven. The Eredivisie club boasts of a squad of intriguing, young talents and should match Manchester United toe to toe, a lively 1-1 draw being the most likely result.