Manchester United make their return to the group stages of the Champions League on Tuesday night when they face Eredivisie champions 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.
PSV Eindhoven
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The Dutch club have made positive inroads into retaining their Eredivisie title in the early part of the new season, having picked up three wins and two draws after the campaign's first five games.
They go into Tuesday's fixture on the back of a thumping 6-0 away victory over Cambuur at the weekend, where frontman Luuk de Jong was able to bag a memorable hat-trick in the encounter.
Phillip Cocu has also claimed early bragging 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.
Eindhoven do not appear to be missing the goals of Depay following his summer move to United, given that they have already notched 14 times in five fixtures at a rate of almost three per game.
Things have been a little less solid in defence though, leaving the club to concede four goals in their opening five games. They have, however, been able to keep two clean sheets this term.
Given the high scoring rate in the Eredivisie, PSV have been able to do just fine with a tad questionable defence, although they could come unstuck against an arguably more tactically efficient United side.
Recent form (all competitions): DWDWW
Manchester United
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United will be making their return to the group stages of the Champions League after nearly a two-year absence.
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 hat-trick in the second leg.
Despite an encouraging start to the new season, questions are still being asked of the club's Dutch manager and his rigid tactical setup; leading some commentators to ask whether United's huge summer spend has really improved their overall chances of challenging for top honours this campaign.
One of the major problem areas in the Premier League has surrounded United's strike force, which has seen both Depay and Rooney struggle for form in the early run of domestic fixtures.
The deadline-day addition of record-breaking young forward Anthony Martial appeared to provide instant dividends after he scored against Liverpool on his debut. If he is given the chance to start on Tuesday, he will surely be itching to get his European tally underway for his new side.
Regardless of the questions being asked of this United team in certain forward areas, Van Gaal has clearly improved their defensive organisation and that could prove vital in the Champions League.
The purchase of former Bayern Munich captain Bastian Schweinsteiger should bring the required experience in midfield for some of Europe's biggest nights, while the acquisition of Morgan Schneiderlin will give Van Gaal some intelligent presence in front of a constantly improving back-four.
One thing for certain is that the club's time away from the competition will have left them chomping at the bit to reassert their authority in Europe at the first major opportunity.
Recent form (all competitions): WDWLW
Team News
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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.
As for 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.
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Zoet; Arias, Bruma, Isimat-Mirin, Willems; Propper, Hendrix, Guardado; Lestienne, De Jong, Narsingh
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw; Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger; Mata, Herrera, Depay; Martial
Head To Head
These two sides have not met each other since 2000, when United came out on top as 3-1 home winners as they met in the group stages of this very tournament.
A month before that clash, Eindhoven had handed out the same result to United when the Old Trafford club lost on a visit to Holland.
We say: PSV Eindhoven 1-2 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.
Christopher Dodd
