Manchester United will return to UEFA Champions League action on Tuesday, when they take on PSV Eindhoven at the Philips Stadion in Netherlands.
The road to the main stage of Champions League has been smooth for the Red Devils. They finished fourth in the English Premier League points table last season. As a result, they had to play a two-legged playoff against Club Brugge. They won the tie 7-1 on aggregate and cruised into the group stages.
On the other hand, PSV have also made a positive start in their Eredivisie campaign, with three wins and two draws in five games. They don't seem to be missing the goals from their former player Memphis Depay, who is now a Red Devils player. PSV have found the back of the net 14 times in five games this season so far, and they are coming into this fixture against Manchester United after a 6-0 thrashing of Cambuur.
PSV will have to step up their defence, as that part has looked vulnerable. They have slipped in four goals in five games so far, and the PSV defenders will be wary of the United forwards' abilities. They cannot let them have any room whatsoever or else the visitors will end up scoring.
Manchester United have lost just one game this season, and that was an English Premier League clash against Swansea City. They will be high on confidence, as they beat Liverpool 3-1 last weekend.
United will have to deal with their forwards who have been out of form for quite some time now. Both Wayne Rooney and Depay found the back of the net during their playoff matches against Club Brugge, but they have failed to deliver in the Premier League.
However, their latest addition to bolster their strike force, Anthony Martial, paid immediate dividends in the clash against Liverpool on Saturday. Martial might start the game in Rooney's absence on Tuesday.
Depay will be the centre of attraction in their Tuesday's face-off against PSV Eindhoven. He will be returning to play against his former club and the Manchester United fans will want to him to be at his sublime best. Depay promised to celebrate if he scores against PSV, because he firmly stressed on the fact that he is a United player now and he wants to become a no. 7 legend at the club.
"It's a new experience for me in the Premier League, so I have to improve and I know that," Depay said. "I learned some things here [at PSV] but, as the boss is saying, the competition is different and I have to learn in the Premier League – to improve there," Depay told the reporters at a press conference.
Despite a decent start to the season, Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal has been questioned by his critics. Surprisingly, he played Marouane Fellaini up front against Liverpool, where the latter struggled to make an impact. Tactics like these might backfire at times, and Van Gaal has to realise that quickly, because the season is already under way and there is no room for too many mistakes.
United will be without their skipper Rooney who has a hamstring injury. That could hand Martial his first European League start for the Red Devils. Meanwhile, PSV are unlikely to alter their winning combination, as their coach Phillip Cocu will be looking to stick to their usual 4-3-3 formation as well.
Where to watch live:
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PSV Eindhoven vs Manchester United is scheduled for an 8.45 pm local time (12.15 am IST, 7.45 pm BST, 2.45 pm ET) start with live coverage in India on Ten Sports. The match can also be watched via live streaming online in India (and the rest of the subcontinent) on Ten Sports Live.
Watch the match between PSV Eindhoven vs Manchester United live in the UK on BT Sport 2, while the online live stream option is on MUTV ONLINE.
Audience in the US can catch PSV Eindhoven vs Manchester United on Fox Sports 1 and ESPN Deportes+ (Spanish), while the match can also be live streamed online on FoxSoccer2Go and Watch ESPN.
Viewers in Australia, France, Middle East and North African can watch the UEFA Champions League game between PSV Eindhoven and Manchester United live on Bein Sports. They can stream the same on Bein Sports Connect.
Fans in Netherlands can watch the clash live on SBS 6 and Sport 1 Voetball (Dutch). Live Streaming option is available on Sport 1 Go.
