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File picture of Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal.

United seek elusive goals to progress in Champions League

DPA/London


Manchester United need the one thing that’s been hard to come by this season in order to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League - a goal.
United travel to Wolfsburg for their final Group B match on Tuesday knowing a victory will send them through.
The Red Devils are one point behind the German side and just a point ahead of PSV Eindhoven in the standings.
With all three still in the hunt to qualify, midfielder Morgan Schneiderlein is treating this as more than an ordinary match.
“We have the destiny in our hands and know what we have to do to get through,” he said.
“It’s very important for the football club and for the players to get to the next stage and we are going out to win in Wolfsburg.
“They are a very good team and it’s never easy in Germany but we will prepare for this game as though it was the final of the Champions League.”
In order to win United will need to score, something they’ve had trouble doing this season.
Louis van Gaal’s side have scored five times in five Champions League games and just 20 goals in 15 Premier League matches.

Off target
They’ve failed to hit the back of the net in five of their past nine in all competitions, including a home draw with PSV in their last Champions League match.
They also drew 0-0 with West Ham on Saturday and were booed off by the home fans.  
Captain Wayne Rooney missed that game with an ankle injury and is likely to sit out against Wolfsburg, adding to the offensive woes.
Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger suggested there may be a lack of confidence in attack.
“The guy who has the opportunity, they have to feel they want to score a goal and are going to score,” he said. “If you miss a chance you have to be unhappy.
“It is about attitude. You need the attitude that you want to score.
“The players are not scared in front of goal, no. It is all about the killer instinct.
“We have players who have the abilities but we need it in every game.”
United are winless in their two Champions League away game but should be boosted with the knowledge they beat Wolfsburg 2-1 at Old Trafford in September.
And after missing out on the competition last season, the three-time European champions don’t want their return to be a short one.
“The Champions League group stages are important but the real aspect of the competition is the knockout stage,” Schneiderlein, who could miss the game after picking up a hip injury against West Ham, said.
“You know the best 16 teams in Europe are involved and we are looking forward to trying to put Manchester United in this category.  
“Last year, we did not have the Champions League here so we are determined to get among the best teams in Europe.
“After that, anything is possible. We know over two games in the knockout stages, anything can happen and we really want to get there, step up and give our best.”

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