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Wolfsburg v Manchester United: Van Gaal expects defensive hosts in European decider

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal expects Wolfsburg to play defensively in Tuesday's crunch Champions League clash in Germany.

United are under extreme pressure going into the game. They know a win would see them progress to the last 16 as Group B winners, but failure to do so will see them eliminated if PSV better their result at home against CSKA Moscow.

"Yes, we can win because we have also won at home against them," he said after a frustrating 0-0 Premier League draw against West Ham.

"But that was a difficult match and I know that also Wolfsburg shall not attack too much because with a draw, they continue and we are dependent on PSV.

"Every match, we have chances and, in our European matches, we have created more chances than in the Premier League matches. We know we have to score in Wolfsburg.

"We have to play against a very good team. I am convinced we can do it but we have to be more composed in front of goal."

Van Gaal's men therefore need as many key players as possible fit to play, but Paddy McNair and Morgan Schneiderlin have emerged as fresh fitness doubts. 

"Paddy McNair has an ankle problem and Schneiderlin is a little bit stiff in the hip, so we have to wait and see as always on that," said the Dutchman.

“I hope they can play on Tuesday but it is a very short [turnaround] so it is a very big question mark. Playing on Saturday, resting on Sunday and travelling on Monday is not ideal for a Tuesday match but we have to cope."

He added: "The reason why we have bought Schweinsteiger is that he is a player who can lead or guide a team. That is important – not only his football qualities – but that he can lead and guide a team on the pitch.

"I believe that every match that he plays he can play better because until now we have not seen the best Schweinsteiger that I have seen at Bayern Munich, but he can guide the team."