Man Utd v Club Brugge: Red Devils to dispatch Belgians at Old Trafford

MANCHESTER UNITED continue their Europa League campaign on Thursday with a welcome for Belgian outfit Club Brugge. Daniel McCulloch (@DMcCulloch1984) shares his views.

Manchester United v Club Brugge | Thursday 27th February 2020, 20:00 | BT Sport

Having covered a couple of Manchester United games recently I think it is fair to say that I am due a win. I was kicking myself with the reverse fixture last week when I backed both Both Teams To Score: No and Club Brugge in the Draw No Bet market and the only scoreline that could conceivable see costing me – 1-1 -actually came in.

United scored three goals against Watford last week but given they had failed to score in four of their previous six league games prior to that it is too early for me to reassess my view, even if Bruno Fernandes looks like an excellent signing.

Anthony Martial has scored in his last three matches but his career record suggests that he is a one goal every three games kind of player and with the exception of himself and 18-year-old Mason Greenwood, United do not have a single fit player with more than three goals this season.

The United side to face Bruges was significantly weaker than I expected, with Diego Dalot, Brandon Williams, Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira all surprise starters but I do think it will be pretty much a first-choice side on Thursday night.

While Brugge did cause United plenty of problems, with goalscorer Emmanuel Dennis particularly impressive, I do expect United to ultimately prevail, with a home win and Under 3.5 Goals my fancy. It has obliged in six of United’s 11 Premier League victories this season and three of their four wins in the Europa League.

Moreover, while it was under different management, United won this competition three years ago through a succession of tight victories in the knockout stages. Not a single one of their nine matches after the group stages saw more than three goals scored and I expect a fairly drab encounter at Old Trafford.

A United win and Under 3.5 Goals is Evens with Betway and that’s where my money will be heading.