Manchester United can’t afford to take it easy against Club Brugge, warns Louis van Gaal

Cautious: Van Gaal has told his team to be wary of Club Brugges
Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images
Tom Dutton26 August 2015

Louis van Gaal is adamant there will be no complacency from his Manchester United players when they take on Club Brugge tonight.

United are overwhelming favourites to secure a return to the Champions League group stages, having won the first leg of their play-off last week 3-1.

Brugge manager Michel Preud’homme claimed on the eve of the second leg in Belgium that it would take a “miracle” for his injury-ravaged squad to overturn United’s two-goal advantage.

But United boss Van Gaal has told his players to be wary of their opponents, who came from 2-1 down to beat Panathinaikos 4-2 over two legs in the previous qualifying round.

“They won against their Greek opponent 3-0, so they are capable of doing that,” said Van Gaal. “I don’t think my players shall take it easy.”

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Marouane Fellaini looks likely to start after scoring the vital third goal in stoppage time last week and Van Gaal revealed that he intends to use the 6ft 4in Belgian as a striker this season.

“This year he shall play more at nine and 10 because there we have other players.”

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