United seek first points

Date

10/3/2015 5:03:54 AM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Champions League football is back at Old Trafford.

Manchester United had to play a qualifier last month but Wednesday's game against Wolfsburg will be the first group match at home in more than a year. United opened their Group B campaign with a 2-1 loss at PSV Eindhoven but the team is at the top of the Premier League for the first time since Alex Ferguson was in charge - when the team won their last title in 2013.

United who beat Sunderland 3-0 on Saturday to move into first place in England will be without defender Luke Shaw who broke his leg in two places after a challenge by PSV defender Hector Moreno.

United will likely have to repeat their assured display against Sunderland to claim their first points in the Champions League - but manager Louis van Gaal could rotate his team to keep his players fresh.

"To beat your opponent every week (in the Premier League) is not easy it is always a struggle and a battle" Van Gaal said. "Then you have to play again mid-week in the Champions League and that is the difference between all the clubs in Europe. You have to rotate and that is what I am doing now because I have to protect my players."

Van Gaal is also wary of Wolfsburg attacker Julian Draxler who he compared to United's Anthony Martial. "He was a very young talent when I was there (as Bayern Munich coach in Germany) so I know him" Van Gaal said. "He has to go on a long road like Martial although it could be a little bit shorter because he has been playing longer on that level. He is a very good player."

Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking will be hoping that Andre Schuerrle's experience of playing in England for Chelsea will spur an improved display from the Germany attacker. Hecking told German television that since signing Schuerrle from Chelsea last season he has been unimpressed with his performance levels.

"We have expectations which are higher than what has so far shown here" Hecking said. "He currently does not have the feeling for the situation in which he can be successful." Wolfsburg are fourth in the Bundesliga and were held to a 1-1 draw by Hannover over the weekend.

football

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