Only victory away at Wolfsburg will be enough to guarantee Manchester United a spot in the last 16 of this year’s Champions League.
The 0-0 draw at home to PSV Eindhoven a fortnight ago blew a glorious opportunity for Louis van Gaal’s men to seal qualification, setting up a difficult trip to Germany.
Since the visit of the Dutch champions, two more draws in the Premier League have also seen United miss the opportunity to go top of the table, and their failure to score against West Ham was greeted by booing from some of the club’s supporters.
Ahead of the crunch clash at the Volkswagen Arena, here are five men with a point to prove.
Marouane Fellaini
After appearing to have salvaged his United career last season, things are on the slide once more for Fellaini.
His few performances in the middle of the park this season have reminded the United faithful that he lacks the pace and range of passing to excel for them as a midfielder.
On Saturday against West Ham, he was guilty of missing a sitter when playing in a more advanced role.
All this said, with Wayne Rooney and Ander Herrera unavailable, there’s a good chance he may start in Germany. A perfect time for the big Belgian to show that he’s worthy of a place at the club.
Anthony Martial
Having exploded on to the scene, Anthony Martial is undergoing something of a goal drought lately.
The debate as to whether he belongs on the wing or through the middle still rages, but his recent appearances have seen him deployed as a striker.
Increasingly, defences have sat deeper against United, meaning Martial has not been able to make full use of his scintillating pace to get in behind opponents’ back lines.
In a game where Wolfsburg are expected to push up as they look to attack United, Martial’s pace could prove crucial.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Louis van Gaal has recently admitted that Schweinsteiger, who signed from Bayern Munich in the summer, has underperformed in a United shirt.
Now 31, the World Cup winner is perhaps not the same player he was a couple of years ago, but his experience and presence will be crucial as he returns to his homeland.
Nights like this are the reason United signed him.
Guillermo Varela
Let’s be honest, such a crucial Champions League fixture is not an ideal time to make your first start for Manchester United.
Despite this, if reports are to be believed, the 22-year-old Uruguayan could be given the green light to start against Wolfsburg.
He came on for Paddy McNair at half time against West Ham, and appears to have performed well enough to have earned himself a spot in the team for his team’s biggest game of the season so far.
Louis van Gaal
Although even defeat in Germany and a Champions League exit is unlikely to bring about the immediate exit of the United boss, opinions about him and his style of football have become increasingly negative from the United supporters.
An early Champions League exit will only turn the heat up on the Dutchman, especially with neighbours Manchester City sealing qualification from what appeared to be a more difficult group weeks ago.
