Manchester United aim for PSV scalp

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hopes to cock another snook at his critics when his team host PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday needing victory to progress in the Champions League.

For all the criticism aimed their way this season, United are just one point off the top of the Premier League and a win against PSV will secure their berth in the last 16 with one game to spare in Group B.

van Gaal’s side won 2-1 at Watford at the weekend despite being without Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney due to injury and illness respectively. United lost 2-1 in Eindhoven in September when Luke Shaw suffered a horrific leg break and PSV remain right in contention. Coach Philip Cocu, who played under van Gaal at Barcelona, is looking for his team to leapfrog United with a win. Held to a 2-2 draw by Willem II at the weekend, PSV are four points behind Dutch league leaders Ajax just now.

Manchester City already through, Juventus can join them in advancing from Group D with a win in Turin. A draw will also suffice as long as Sevilla do not win their game in Germany, and the current form guide suggests Juve are the favourites. After a slow start to the campaign, the reigning Serie A champions and last season’s Champions League runners-up made it three straight league wins at the weekend by beating AC Milan 1-0. City, in contrast, travel on the back of a chastening 4-1 home defeat to Liverpool in which their defending was shambolic. However, a win for Manuel Pellegrini’s men here will secure them top spot, an important objective as they aim to avoid a tricky tie in the last 16. Samir Nasri is out for several months for City while Hernanes is suspended for Juve.

The pressure on Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez is intense in the wake of Saturday’s 4-0 trouncing at the hands of Barcelona in the Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu. That came after a 3-2 defeat at Sevilla and has left Madrid six points adrift of leaders Barca

in La Liga. Los Blancos are in crisis and president Florentino Perez felt compelled to call a press conference on Monday to give Benitez the dreaded vote of confidence. At least they can head to Ukraine with the pressure off having already secured their place in the last 16, although a win in Lviv will guarantee top spot. Shakhtar are top of the Ukrainian league but realistically need a win to maintain any hope of reaching the knockout stages themselves. Sergio Ramos and Marcelo have been ruled out for the visitors.

Beaten 2014 finalists Atletico need only draw against Galatasaray at the Vicente Calderon to secure their place in the last 16, although they may have to win to retain a chance of finishing top of the section.