PSV Eindhoven vs Manchester United : Preview/Team News/Expected 11/Prediction

Manchester United make their return to the group stages of the Champions league when they face Eredivisie champion PSV Eindhoven in Group B.
Louis Van Gaal and his men are seeking to earn a win on their reintroduction to the tournament, while Eindhoven will be out to produce a home upset as they face former star frontman Memphis Depay.

The Dutch club have made positive inroads into retaining their Eridivise title in the early part of the new season, having picked up three wins and two draws after the campaign's first five games whereas United will be making their return to the group stages of the champions after nearly a two-year absence.

PSV goes into Tuesday's fixture in the back of a thumping 6-0 away victory over Cambuur at the weekend, where frontman Lukk de Jong was able to bag a memorable hat-trick in the encounter. Phillip Cocu has also claimed early

bragging the rights after guiding his side to an important 3-1 win over title challengers Feyenoord, as PSV look to put some early-season pressure on initial league leaders Ajax.

Van Gaal's charges are coming off the back of an impressive Premier League victory against Liverpool, while their recent exploits against Club Brugge in the qualification stages suggest that the Red Devils are ready to kick back into European football with a bang. United bagged seven goals over two legs against the Belgian club, as Depay introduced himself with two standout goals and Wayne Rooney returned to some kind of form with a hatrick in the second leg.

How’s the form? 

United’s morale was boosted by a much-celebrated 3-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday, to register 10 points from a possible 15 in the Barclays Premier League. Historically, the Reds have also played four competitive matches against PSV to earn two wins, one draw and a defeat, scoring five goals and conceding four in the process. The Eredivisie champions are unbeaten in six matches this term and recorded an impressive 6-0 win at Cambuur on Saturday, so they're in fine form.

View from the dressing room (man utd):

In his weekly blog, Juan Mata previews the big game. “We're all very excited about this competition and we know how important a positive start would be,” he writes. “PSV is an historic team in European football, although they haven't participated in the group stage in the last few years. I remember watching Cocu when he was a player. He's doing a good job: they haven't been defeated so far this season. It's going to be a very special game for Memphis, it reminds me of my visit to Valencia with Chelsea a few months after my arrival in England.”

Team news:

PSV, Cocu could recall defender Jetro Willems after injury. He was rested for the club's 6-0 win away to Cambuur over the weekend.The home side's coach is expected to continue with his favoured 4-3-3 formation that has seen the club unbeaten in the league thus far. As for United have confirmed that Rooney will be absent from this clash, after also missing out on the club's victory over Liverpool with a hamstring issue. That could present Martial with the opportunity to make his first European start for the club in Holland.

Depay found some form during the qualification stages, but he will have to fight off fellow winger Ashley Young following an impressive showing as a substitute against the Anfield club on Saturday.

Should Depay start, he may prove an effective tool against a group of players that he spent time playing alongside last season.

David de Gea is expected to remain in goal, while Chris Smalling and Daley Blind should continue together as United's centre-back pairing. Schneiderlin could return in the middle at the expense of either Schweinsteiger or Michael Carrick.

Expected 11

PSV Eindhoven

Zoet
Arias
Bruma
Isimat-Mirin
Willems
Propper
Hendrix
Guardado
Lestienne
De Jong
Narsingh

Manchester United

De Gea
Darmian
Smalling
Blind
Shaw
Schneiderlin
Schweinsteiger
Mata
Herrera
Depay
Martial

Prediction

PSV Eindhoven 0-3 Manchester United

United should be delighted after gaining passage into the group stages and will now be itching to register an opening win. Despite their problems going forward, they should still have just about enough to get past PSV. Van Gaal's experience in the Dutch league, combined with United's improved organisation, should see the Red Devils to an away victory.

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