Man United intent on scoring goals against Wolfsburg

Photo credit: AFP.

Manchester United’s Louis van Gaal says the Red Devils must prove they are good enough to reach the Champions League’s knockout stages by breaking their goal drought against Wolfsburg on Tuesday. United have scored just one goal in drawing their their last three games, including a goalless draw at home to PSV Eindhoven a fortnight ago. The result means they must win in Wolfsburg to be sure of reaching the last 16 in Europe.

United’s England striker Wayne Rooney is out with an ankle injury, but United boss Van Gaal says it’s up to the players chosen to score the goals at Wolfsburg’s Volkswagen Arena to keep United in Europe. From Monday’s press conference:

“It is very important for the club and the players to continue in the Champions League..

“You have to prove yourselves, as a club, as a team and as players.

“Football is about scoring goals, it’s the most important aspect, and as a manager you can’t be pleased when it is like this, you have to score.

“This is the most important match at this moment.

“It is very important for the club to continue in Europe and the players want to show their qualities on the highest podium.”

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United, a point behind leaders Wolfsburg in the group, need a win to guarantee qualification but could also go through if Eindhoven lose at home to CSKA Moscow in the group’s other game, or if both matches are drawn.

Van Gaal says relying on the result in Eindhoven is not an option:

“That’s why it is very important to beat Wolfsburg, we cannot depend on the result of PSV.”

“You never know for sure, but I have the experience as a manager that the goals will come, because when you are creating chances in the end you will finish them.

“That is why we have that belief, it’s a matter of time and I hope we can prove it tomorrow”.

United beat Wolfsburg 2-1 at Old Trafford in September and are hoping for a repeat of their 3-1 win at the Volkswagen Arena in 2009 when Michael Owen scored a hat trick.

Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is relishing his first game in his native country with United and is backing his side to break their goal drought:

“We know the situation. We beat Wolfsburg in Manchester and we want to do it again.

“We’re doing an unbelievable job defensively but we have to be determined to score. I’m convinced we can change it.”