By Niall Clarke
- Manchester City travel to Borussia Monchengladbach
- Manchester United host Wolfsburg
- Both Manchester clubs lost their opening games
After suffering defeats in match-day one, Manchester United and Manchester City are looking to get back on track when they face German opposition on Wednesday.
United host Bundesliga runners up Wolfsburg at Old Trafford, whilst City travel to a struggling Borussia Monchengladbach.
Both Manchester clubs suffered opening day defeats two weeks a go. The Old Lady proved too stubborn for the Citizens as they walked away with a 2-1 win at the Ethiad. Louis Van Gaal’s men fared no better against PSV, downed by the same score line in Eindhoven.
Manchester United vs Wolfsburg
Midfielder Michael Carrick is expected to be out of the Wolfsburg clash after missing the last training session before tonight’s game. Fellow midfielder Ander Herrera and winger Antonio Valencia are doubtful for the game with minor injuries. Van Gaal says he will not take any risks.
United’s opponents currently sit in fourth place in the Bundesliga, but they recently suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat to Robert Lewandowski (sorry, Bayern Munich). The Pole scored five goals in nine minutes off the bench in last week’s mauling.
Unlike the Red Devils however, the Bundesliga outfit scored an opening day victory over CSKA Moscow.
They will be without midfielder Luiz Gustavo who has a knee injury, while centre-back Robin Knoche is out. Winger Vieirinha and goalkeeper Koen Casteels are both doubtful after missing the Wolves’ last five games.
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Manchester City
Captain Vincent Kompany is one of six players ruled out for Manchester City’s trip to Borussia Monchengladbach.
The Belgian International is suffering with calf problems, and joins fellow defender Gael Clichy, midfielders Fabian Delph, Eliaquim Mangala and Samir Nasri and forward Wilfried Bony on the side lines.
Like City, Gladbach lost their opening game to Sevilla, further adding to a disastrous start to their campaign. The Bundesliga club lost their opening six matches, but are back on track with back to back victories. City on the other hand started perfect, but have lost two on the trot.
The Citizens have struggled to get a foothold of European competition, and fears that this season could turn out like previous campaigns were magnified after the loss to Juventus. However, Pellegrini insists that his side are not failures at this level.
Full Fixtures
Kick off times 19:45 BST unless stated
Astana vs Galatasaray 17:00
Juventus vs Sevilla
Malmo vs Real Madrid
Shakhta Donetsk vs Paris Saint Germain
Mönchengladbach vs Man City
Man United vs Wolfsburg
Atlético Madrid vs Benfica
CSKA Moscow vs PSV Eindhoven
Manchester City and Manchester United kick off at 19:45 BST.
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