Manchester United’s hopes of progressing to the last 16 of the Champions League hang in the balance following a goalless draw with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.
Victory over the Dutch champions at Old Trafford would have seen the Red Devils progress but United couldn’t find the breakthrough in a lacklustre display.
Louis van Gaal’s side must now beat Wolfsburg next month to guarantee their spot in the next round of the competition and the United manager is confident his side can get the victory in Germany.
“We are still second and are still in the qualifying position,” explained the Dutchman.
“We have to win in Wolfsburg and that’s a difficult game, but everything is possible, it is never impossible.
“We won at home against them, so why can’t we win away? We can win everywhere. We prove it this year.
“Also in the Premier League, our average in away matches is much higher than last year. And we have to do that also in the Champions League.”
Another clean sheet will have impressed Van Gaal but questions still remain about the threat United pose going forward.
Anthony Martial had two low close-range shots saved by PSV goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet and Jesse Lingard misfired United’s best chance of the game over the bar on 73 minutes.
Van Gaal claims the lack of goals from his side is a concern but is pleased with the chances being created.
“Of course I am worried but I know also that goals are not always a consequence of good or bad performances.
“Today we could have scored at least three goals – they were not the most difficult chances, but we didn’t score. Yet in the next game, we could score out of nothing. That’s football.
“It was so close but we still didn’t score. We could have qualified and it’s a big disappointment also for the players.”
A win over Wolfsburg in a fortnight’s time will see United finish top of the group but defeat or a draw would see the Reds drop into the Europa League should PSV beat CSKA Moscow.
Image courtesy of FifaTV via YouTube, with thanks.
