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Club Brugge
Champions League | Playoff Round
Aug 26, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Manchester United logo

0-4

FT(HT: 0-1)
Rooney (20', 49', 57'), Herrera (63')

Live Commentary: Club Brugge 0-4 Manchester United (Man Utd win 7-1 on aggregate)

Relive Manchester United's emphatic 4-0 victory over Club Brugge as they book their place in the group stages of the Champions League with a 7-1 aggregate win.
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Manchester United booked their place in the group stages of the Champions League this evening courtesy of a 4-0 win over Club Brugge at the Jan Breydel Stadion.

The visitors took the lead after just 20 minutes when Wayne Rooney ended his goal drought with a cool finish inside the box, and the skipper added two more after the break to seal his hat-trick.

Ander Herrera added a fourth shortly after the hour mark, and it could have been more for United as Javier Hernandez missed a late penalty and squandered a glorious opportunity in the final minute.

Find out how all of the action unfolded on an action-packed night courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.


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Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Champions League playoff second leg as Manchester United look to secure their place in the group stages at the expense of Club Brugge. Louis van Gaal's side have the advantage going into this match in Belgium, but the tie is certainly not dead and buried at the halfway stage. Let's start with a look at the team news...

CLUB BRUGGE STARTING XI: Bolat; De Fauw, Castelletto, Duarte, De Bock; Vormer, Claudemir, Vazquez; Diaby, De Sutter, Bolingoli Mbombo

CLUB BRUGGE SUBS: Bruzzese, Meunier, Vanaken, Cools, De Smul, Dierckx, Oulare

MAN UTD STARTING XI: Romero; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw; Herrera, Carrick; Mata, Januzaj, Memphis; Rooney

MAN UTD SUBS: Johnstone, McNair, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Young, Fellaini, Hernandez

What can we make of those two sides, then? Well, it is certainly an interesting selection from Michel Preud'homme as the hosts make no fewer than five changes to the side that lost the first leg at Old Trafford eight days ago. Brugge didn't play particularly badly in that match, but they lacked a bit of quality in the final third. Even so, Diaby continues to lead the line for the hosts, while he should get support from Bolingoli Mbombo and the incoming De Sutter.

Victor Vazquez captains the side, and he is one player that United will need to keep a close eye on tonight. He is technically very good, and if he is afforded the space and time to pick a pass then he certainly has the ability to harm the visitors. Next to him in midfield is Claudemir, who came off the bench at Old Trafford but gets the nod from the start tonight due to the usual captain, Timmy Simons, being injured in that first leg.

Vormer is another to keep his place, but Dierckx, who has the ability to be a match-winner on his day, must settle for a place on the bench this evening. With Brugge having nothing to lose tonight it is something of a surprise to see Dierckx not starting, particularly as he is the only attacking player not to keep his place from the first leg.

Further back, Oscar Duarte had a good game at Old Trafford and unsurprisingly keeps his place at the heart of the Brugge defence, but there have been a number of changes around him. De Bock is the only other member of the back five to maintain this spot, with Castelletto coming in for the suspended Mechele, while De Fauw replaces Cools, who really struggled to deal with Memphis in the first leg. There is also a change between the sticks, meanwhile, as Bolat replaces Bruzzese in goal.

As for United, they stick with the same attacking lineup that has played the last three games for them in all competitions, despite questions being asked about their record in front of goal. Most of those have been directed at the form of skipper Wayne Rooney, who has now failed to score in his last 10 outings, last finding the net in a 3-1 win over Aston Villa last April. That is a drought of 858 minutes - his longest barren spell since 2007.

It was down to Memphis Depay to do the damage in the first leg, and he lit up Old Trafford with a virtuoso display on the left wing. It must be said that Brugge failed to deal with him as effectively as they should have done, repeatedly allowing him to cut inside, but Memphis looked made for the Champions League nights under the floodlights. It is fair to say that the big-money summer arrival has failed to hit those heights so far in the Premier League, and he missed a few good chances against Newcastle at the weekend, but that performance in the first leg will certainly have got the United fans excited, and a repeat tonight should see them through.

Manchester United's Dutch midfielder Memphis Depay celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League play off football match between Manchester United and Club Brugge at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on Aug© Getty Images


There are two changes for United from their weekend draw with Newcastle, and they are interesting ones too. Van Gaal has opted to try out a new central midfield partnership, with Herrera handed his first start of the season alongside Carrick, who started on the bench on Saturday. Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin both drop to the bench as a result, and it will be interesting to see whether Van Gaal keeps up this midfield merry-go-round throughout the season. Certainly, this is a chance for Herrera to shine as he has barely got a look in so far.

Defence is where United have been strongest so far, despite the ongoing saga surrounding De Gea's future. That doesn't appear to be progressing at any great pace and, with time running out for Real Madrid to make a move, United will be starting to plan for life with him at the club. He has not made a single one of Van Gaal's squads this season, though, and Romero has only been beaten by an own goal in the four matches that he has deputised for the wantaway keeper. Darmian and Shaw have impressed on either flank, while the centre-back pairing of Smalling and Blind have been very solid so far - a lot more so than many may have been expecting. Smalling in particular has been excellent this season.

Brugge face a difficult task in just breaching the United defence, then, yet alone getting the two goals, at least, that they would need to progress tonight. Having said that, they did make a bright start to the match at Old Trafford last week and at times they looked capable of threatened the United defence. Their goal came in fortuitous circumstances as Carrick turned the ball past his own keeper, but Brugge showed enough signs in that game to suggest that this tie may not be over quite yet.

Ultimately, though, Brugge did only manage one shot on target throughout that first leg, and that is a statistic that simply has to improve if they are to progress this evening. Much of the build-up play carried some promise, although they were forced to chase the ball for long spells of the game. However, it was that cutting edge in the final third that they were lacking, and Preud'homme will be a little concerned about his teams chances of improving enough in that respect tonight.

Indeed, the Brugge boss has gone as far as to suggest that his side need a "miracle" to get through tonight. That description was a little over the top, but Fellaini's late header did put an entirely different complexion on the tie. Take a 2-1 deficit back home in Europe is by no means a disaster, and they would have fancied their chances of overturning that had it stayed like that, but a 3-1 loss is a different kettle of fish altogether. It would take a mammoth effort for them to qualify for the group stages tonight.

Michel Preud'homme, coach of Club Brugge looks on during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Round Play Off First Leg match between Manchester United and Club Brugge at Old Trafford on August 18, 2015© Getty Images


There are reasons for optimism from a Brugge perspective, though. They have a formidable home record in Europe in recent times, going unbeaten in their last 10 outings in front of their own fans in continental competition. In the Champions League alone they have lost just four of their previous 17 home games, with three of those coming against giants of the European game such as AC Milan, Barcelona and Juventus.

Their home form in general also makes for impressive reading, with just one defeat coming in their last 36 matches here at the Jan Breydel Stadion in all competition. They have won 27 of those games, including all three this term. It hasn't actually been the best start to the campaign for them, however, and they currently sit sixth in the Pro League having only amassed seven points from their opening five games. That leaves them already six points off the top having finished as runners-up last season.

Indeed, Saturday's defeat at Zulte-Waregem, coupled with their loss in the first leg of this tie, means that Brugge have now been beaten twice on the bounce. They have only lost three in a row on one occasion since October 2013, but they will need to cope with the likes of Memphis much better tonight if they are to avoid ending that record. Preud'homme won't be panicking just yet having led the club to their first trophy in 10 years last season and finishing top of the regular season table in the Pro League, but an improvement is needed sooner rather than later for sure.

Brugge have not competed in the group stages of the Champions League since the 2005-06 campaign, when they finished third behind Juventus and Bayern Munich. They have won just one of their last seven Champions League games, with that victory coming at home to Panathinaikos in the last round. That performance may give them some hope going into tonight's game as they also had to overturn a first-leg deficit against the Greek outfit, winning 3-0 in front of their own fans having been beaten 2-1 in Greece.

There is no doubt that United come into the match as firm favourites, though, and anything other than progression into the Champions League would be a big shock - and verging on a disaster for Louis van Gaal's side. His task last season was to get the Red Devils back into this competition after David Moyes's ill-fated spell saw them miss out for the first time since 1995-96, and questions may begin to be raised should they blow this golden chance to end what is only a one-year absence as it stands.

Domestically, United haven't exactly set the world alight so far this season. There were murmurs of a potential title challenge before the season began and, considering how much money they have spent over the past two years, that is certainly where they should be aiming. They remain unbeaten without having conceded a goal, but their performances have been a little unconvincing so far. Their two league goals so far have come from an own goal and a deflection, and it is that profligacy in front of goal that will be top of the list of priorities to address.

That reared its head once again on Saturday as United welcomed Newcastle to Old Trafford in a match that many saw as a banker home victory considering their superb record against the Magpies over the years. United dominated the vast majority of the match too, but they simply could not find a way through. It was one-way traffic in the opening 20 minutes especially but, despite Tim Krul having to make eight stops for the visitors, only two of them really tested him. United hit the post through Smalling late on, but they could have even ended up losing that one had Mitrovic's header been a couple of inches lower or Cisse made the most of a three-on-one counter at the death.

Manchester United's English striker Wayne Rooney (3rd R) has an unsuccessful shot, blocked by Newcastle United's English defender Steven Taylor (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Traf© Getty Images


There is still plenty to address for Van Gaal, then, but his side's best performance this season came in the first leg of this tie and he will be hoping that his players rise to the stage of the Champions League again tonight. They have a rich history in this competition, but recently they have really struggled on the road in Europe. They have won only one of their last seven Champions League away games, including the last two by two-goal margins that would see them crash out if a repeat happened tonight.

United haven't lost three away Champions League games on the bounce since 2003, so they are putting a 12-year record on the line here in addition to their place in the group stages. Of course, those two defeats came under David Moyes, and Van Gaal's side are a much different proposition nowadays, so you can't read too much into that. They could also lose this match and still progress, should Brugge only manage a one-goal winning margin.

The significance of that Fellaini goal deep into injury time of the first leg should not be played down. Brugge would have really fancied their chances at 2-1, but that header swings the tie firmly back in United's favour. We have seen the contrast in attitude between Malmo, who scored late to make it 3-2 in their first leg against Celtic before securing their progress last night with a display full of belief, and Brugge, whose only manager has said will need a miracle to progress. It is something of a defeatist mentality for the visitors, and the reaction to that Fellaini header was almost like it was the winning goal in the tie.

United have a formidable record at this stage of the Champions League, although they have rarely been forced to qualify, it must be said. They have never lost a Champions League or European Cup qualification tie, with their last resulting in a 6-0 victory over Debrecen in 2005. They have only lost one of their 17 qualifying matches in this competition too, although that did come at the hands of minnows Zalaegerszeg in 2002-03.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at the Jan Breydel Stadion now, which means that it is time for a prediction! I have already talked about Brugge's strong home record and the shaky form of United away from home in Europe, but the visitors really should have enough about them to see this one out. That Fellaini goal could end up proving crucial, but I can see the visitors grabbing a draw on the night, which would have been enough even without the Belgian's header. I'll go for 1-1.

This is Brugge's first Champions League qualification tie, but they do have a perfect record of five wins from five in their Europa League qualification campaigns. It is also their first tie against Manchester United, but they do have an impressive record against English teams in general. They have won six of their nine home matches against English opposition over the years, with just one defeat coming in that time. Having said that, the solitary defeat did come at the hands of Birmingham City in the 2011-12 Europa League.

By contrast, United have lost on their last two visits to Belgium, so it hasn't been the happiest of hunting grounds for them so far. They did win on their first ever visit here, however, easing to a 2-0 victory in their maiden European campaign way back in 1956-57 - a result that capped off a 12-0 aggregate win for the Busby Babes.

United are three-time winners of this competition, lifting the trophy in 1968, 1999 and 2008. They have also reached the final as recently as 2009 and 2011, so when it comes to recent history there isn't much comparison between these two sides. Brugge do have European pedigree of their own, though, becoming the first and so far only Belgian team to reach the final of the European Cup in 1978, only to lose to Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool. They also reached the UEFA Cup final two years prior to that, but once again they were beaten by Liverpool.

The Champions League anthem rings around the stadium, but you can barely hear it over the noise being made by the Brugge fans. We're just about ready to go for this playoff second leg, with United just 90 minutes away from the group stages unless we're in for a shock tonight.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! United get us underway as they look to complete the job they started eight days ago at Old Trafford.

Some decent early possession for United as they look to settle into the game and kill this crowd noise in the early stages. The first goal is absolutely vital in this game - if the visitors get it then it should be tie over, but if Brugge can grab an early one then it is very much game on.

Positive play from Shaw as he continues a run all the way into the box and is almost found by Januzaj, but debutant keeper Bolat collects.

CHANCE! The first chance of the day falls the way of Brugge! Diaby starts the move with some good footwork before feeding the ball out left, and the looping cross finds an unmarked De Sutter coming in at the back post. His doesn't quite connect with his volley properly, however, and Shaw is able to get the block in.

A note on De Sutter, the striker will be leaving Brugge tomorrow to join Bursaspor in Turkey, having delayed his move to try to help the Belgian outfit reach the group stages. It would certainly be a good way to say farewell if he fires them into the Champions League proper!

Risky defending from Duarte inside his own box as he throws himself into a sliding challenge, narrowly missing Mata, who just skipped out of the way in time. That could quite easily have resulted in a penalty.

A hint of a chance for Rooney as he links up with Mata before seeing the Spaniard's shot blocked on the edge of the box. The ball loops up towards the skipper, but he gets under his volley and slices it well over.

YELLOW CARD! Herrera becomes the first name in the book for an untidy challenge on Vazquez. No complaints with that one.

That gifts Brugge a free kick in a good crossing position, but it is a hugely disappointing delivery from Vazquez as he fires it straight out for a goal kick.

This match hasn't started at the same sort of pace as the first leg, and we have only really had that one sight of goal for Brugge so far. United will be happy with that, though, as they have kept the ball well to kill the atmosphere inside the Jan Breydel Stadion.

Memphis has not been in the game at all for the visitors so far. He was unstoppable at times in the first leg, picking up two goals and an assist in a man-of-the-match display, but at the moment it is more like the Memphis we have seen in the Premier League so far.

GOAL! Club Brugge 0-1 Manchester United (Wayne Rooney)

Manchester United draw first blood in this second leg, and it is Wayne Rooney who finally ends his 10-game goal drought! It mentioned that Memphis has been quiet so far, but he springs to life here, cutting inside from the left flank before sliding a very clever reverse pass in to Rooney. Two defenders can't cut it out, and Rooney produces a composed finish to dink it over the keeper. He certainly didn't look like a man who was on his worst goal drought in eight years there!

Is that tie over? Brugge's task was tough before that goal, but they now need to score three times without reply just to force extra time. Considering they only had one shot on target in the first leg, that is a tall order.

Brugge go in search of a reply as they work the ball over from the right flank to Bolingoli on the edge of the box. He holds off Darmian well and looks like he has earned himself a yard to shoot, but his effort is then blocked.

Smalling is a touch fortunate to get away with one here as he stumbles over, allowing De Sutter to race through down the right. The referee calls it back for a foul, though, and in fairness Smalling's boot was taken off, so there must have been some contact between the two players.

Poor from Herrera as he blazes one well off target from around 20 yards out. It was a decent break from the visitors as Rooney made his way down the right before finding Mata. The Spaniard moved it on once more, but the pass was a little hard and Herrera's effort was high and wide.

CHANCE! Another chance for United, and this time the roles are reversed from the goal. Rooney slides a beauty of a pass in to Memphis, whose first touch inside the box is a decent one. The ball still spins just too far away from him, however, and he clatters into Bolat when lunging for the ball. Brave goalkeeping from the debutant.

Better from Brugge as they come down the left flank, with Vazquez latching on to a through-ball and sending a first-time ball right across the face of goal. De Sutter is in there, but Blind just gives him a nudge to prevent him from getting to the ball.

A small stoppage in the game here as a streaker runs onto the field. The crowd seem to enjoy it and Shaw has a little laugh on the touchlines too as he waits to take the throw-in.

CHANCE! Huge chance for United to put the game to bed well and truly! Shaw wins the ball on the halfway line, nodding it straight through to Memphis, who shrugs off one defender to find himself with only the keeper to beat. He has Rooney in support but chooses to go for goal himself, and he dallies for long enough for Duarte to get back and make a crucial block.

Good move from Brugge at the other end of the field, but Claudemir just can't stretch enough to turn his header goalwards. It was Vazquez's cross towards the midfielder at the back post but, while he did get his head to it, he couldn't trouble Romero.

This should have been another chance for United, but Herrera loses his footing at the crucial moment! The visitors worked the ball well from a corner, with Mata feeding the ball back to Darmian. His initial effort is block but drops to Herrera, who falls over before he can have a shot of his own.

SAVE! Memphis and Rooney link up with each other again, with the skipper playing a short square ball to the Dutch winger, whose deflected effort is held by Bolat.

SAVE! Romero hasn't had much to do today, but he is called into action here. De Sutter is the man to find space and fire a shot at goal, but it is central and Romero is able to parry it away.

CLOSE! United get two warning shots in quick succession as the pressure begins to build on their goal. First, Blind glances a cross narrowly past his own post before, from the resulting corner, De Fauw flicks it just wide of the upright.

CHANCE! What a chance this is for Brugge to level things up on the night right on the stroke of half time. The flag stays down as Diaby races through on goal and, with a man in support, he only has Romero to beat. The keeper stands up really well as Diaby tries to go round him, however, and eventually claws the ball off the toes of the striker. Diaby simply had to score there, though.

There will be just the one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

YELLOW CARD! Claudemir goes into the referee's book for a cynical tug on Herrera in midfield.

HALF TIME: Club Brugge 0-1 Manchester United (Man Utd lead 4-1 on aggregate)

The first half comes to an end at the Jan Breydel Stadion, then, and it is so far so good for Manchester United. They have one foot firmly in the group stages of the Champions League courtesy of an away goal in that opening 45 minutes, extending their aggregate lead to 4-1. It would take something special for Brugge to recover from this - they need three goals without reply just to force extra time.

It was Wayne Rooney who got the goal for United, ending a 10-match, 878-minute drought with a smart finish inside the box. It wasn't the sort of finish you'd associate with a striker who'd been on his worst drought since 2007, as Rooney dinked the ball over the onrushing keeper having been brilliantly found by Memphis.

The first goal was always going to be crucial tonight, and United have played this match pretty much perfectly so far. They controlled possession in the early stages to take any sting out of the game and the home crowd, and it could have been even better for them had Memphis made the most of a glorious opportunity 10 minutes before the break. He found himself clean through on goal with Rooney in support, but he seemed to be caught in two minds and, by the time he had finally decided to shoot, Duarte was able to come across and make the block.

Brugge have had chances of their own, though, and they put United under some sustained pressure towards the end of that first half. The best opening fell to Diaby, who just about beat the offside trap to race clean through on goal. He only had Romero to beat, but tried to take it past the keeper on the inside, allowing Romero to get an important hand on the ball. He wasn't quite able to collect it, but by the time it broke to Bolingoli there were defenders back to block his shot.

Shortly before that chance, De Fauw had flicked an effort narrowly wide of the far post following a corner that was won when Blind glanced the ball just beyond his own upright too. De Sutter also tested Romero in that five-minute spell before the interval, although that is the only time you can really say that Brugge have been on top so far tonight. They certainly haven't looked like getting the three goals needed.

De Sutter had another chance with a volley that was blocked early on, while Memphis has had a couple of sights of goal for United too. All in all, though, it is United who will be much the happier of the two sides. They are in control of both the game and the tie, enjoying 60% possession tonight.

KICKOFF: Brugge get us back underway for the second half here, and the first thing to tell you is that Van Gaal has made something of a defensive change at the break, bringing Bastian Schweinsteiger on for Januzaj.

A hint of a penalty shout for United as Rooney goes down under a sliding challenge from Duarte, but the referee is right to wave it away.

GOAL! Club Brugge 0-2 Manchester United (Wayne Rooney)

You wait 10 games for one, and then two come along at once. Rooney doubles his personal tally for the evening, but he has a few of his teammates to thank. Shaw, Memphis and Herrera are all involved in a lovely flowing team move, with the latter playing the final pass to Rooney, who had the simple task of apply the final touch. Super goal from United, and that is well and truly tie over now.

A reminder that Club Brugge now need five goals to win on aggregate. I think it's safe to say that Manchester United will be in Thursday's draw for the Champions League group stages.

SAVE! More lovely football from United, who are starting to enjoy themselves now. Memphis dummies the ball for Rooney, who plays it back to the Dutch winger immediately. Memphis advances into the box before tumbling over an outstretched leg, although the referee waves away claims for a penalty. The ball eventually breaks to Darmian, but his shot is easy for the keeper.

United break forward again here, with one long ball sending them through on a three-on-one situation. Mata chooses the right pass towards Memphis, but just puts too much on it as the chance goes begging.

United are in complete control now. They are dictating the tempo and look like they could have more goals in them here.

GOAL! Club Brugge 0-3 Manchester United (Wayne Rooney)

It's a third goal for United, and a third for Rooney as he completes his hat-trick with another cool finish. This time it is Mata who acts as the creator, cutting in from the right flank before finding his skipper with a reverse pass. Rooney again only has the keeper to beat, and he slides it into the corner.

CHANCE! Rooney has a glorious chance to grab a fourth goal of the night! Again Mata is the provider, sliding a lovely pass through for the skipper who is once more clean through on goal. He goes for the dink again, but this time Bolat is alert to it and makes a really good stop to deny Rooney yet another goal.

This really is a sign of just how quickly things can change in football. An hour ago we were saying that Rooney was suffering a crisis in front of goal, but suddenly he is now the club's top scorer this season! This will certainly give the skipper his confidence back.

CLOSE! This could be anything if United carry on playing like this. Mata is the latest to come close, curling a first-time effort narrowly over the crossbar from around 25 yards out.

MAN UTD SUB: That is Mata's last action of the match as he is replace by Ashley Young for the final half an hour or so.

CLUB BRUGGE SUBS: The hosts also make a couple of changes, with Hans Vanaken and Tuur Dierckx replacing Diaby and Vazquez.

GOAL! Club Brugge 0-4 Manchester United (Ander Herrera)

This is just far too easy for United. They are cutting through Brugge at will now, and they get a fourth goal on the night though Herrera. In fairness to Duarte, he slips at a vital moment to allow Schweinsteiger's pass all the way through for the midfielder, who has plenty of time to slide it into the bottom corner.

MAN UTD SUB: A third and final change for the visitors as Herrera, having just scored, comes off for Javier Hernandez.

CHANCE! It probably should be five for United here! Memphis drives forward from midfield before finding Schweinsteiger in space, but the German's attempted chip drops just beyond the far post.

OFF THE BAR! Oh my word, what a goal this would have been! Brugge, out of nothing, come within inches of pulling a goal back in some style as Vanaken plays a one-two before unleashing a magnificent first-time volley that crashes against the underside of the bar. So unlucky for the sub - that would have been an absolute worldie, and Romero was well beaten.

This really has been an action-packed second half. United look like scoring every single time they come forward at the moment, with Brugge all at sea defensively right now. They seem to have thrown caution to the wind, and United are taking full advantage.

In fairness to Brugge, they haven't given up trying to get a goal here. They are almost playing for pride in the final third now, but they have been well beaten in the end here. United's utter dominance only really began when the tie was dead, but they have ripped Brugge apart since then.



United have taken their foot off the pedal a little in the last few minutes, but Brugge still want a goal from this one. They have another sight of goal here as a corner is only cleared as far as Vormer, but his wild volley flies high and wide.

The visitors are just keeping the ball away from Club Brugge now as they look to see out the final 14 minutes plus stoppage time. You get the sense that both sides would be happy if the final whistle went now.

YELLOW CARD! Vormer goes into the book for a poor sliding tackle from behind on Memphis. No complaints there.

BRUGGE SUB: The hosts make a change before the free kick is taken, with Dion Cools replacing Bolingoli.

CHANCE! Another chance comes from the free kick, with Memphis's initial effort hitting the wall and bouncing to Dramian in plenty of space. He stands a cross up into the middle,. which Hernandez meets in space, but his header goes narrowly over.

PENALTY TO MANCHESTER UNITED!

MISSED!

Oh it is a shocker from Hernandez! The Mexican slips when kicking the ball, sending it well wide of the post. He actually hit it twice, so it may not have counted even if it did go in. The penalty award itself was harsh, with United breaking forward in a three-on-two scenario. Rooney puts the ball into the box and Duarte gets his head to it, but only succeeds in nodding the ball down onto his own arm. The referee points to the spot nonetheless, but Hernandez is unable to add a fifth for United.

Painful one for Dierckx as he goes down without a United player near him. The replay shows that he turned his ankle, and he certainly seems to be in a lot of pain here. Often those ones can be an initial pain that subsides, and Preud'homme will be hoping that no lasting damage has been done.

Dierckx needs help from two physios to limp off the field, and it doesn't look like he will be returning. The winger was one of Brugge's three subs himself, so for the second time in this tie they will have to finish the match with 10 men.

This really has not been Brugge's day. They did not help themselves with a spell in the second half where they defended woefully, but pretty much everything that could go wrong has gone wrong for the hosts. They will be desperate for this one to be over now.

Just one more minute plus stoppage time for Brugge to endure here. United, meanwhile, are that close to returning to the Champions League group stage after a year-long absence.

WHAT A MISS! Oh my word, what a sitter this is for Hernandez. He is usually such a good finisher, but he missed a great chance against Newcastle and has now missed a penalty and a glorious chance tonight. Young fizzes a peach of a low cross into the box, right along the six-yard box, and it should be a simple tap-in at the back post for the Mexican. However, he blazes it well over from close range.

There will be two added minutes at the end of this match.

FULL TIME: Club Brugge 0-4 Manchester United (Man Utd win 7-1 on aggregate)

The referee brings an end to Brugge's misery as Manchester United book their place in the group stages of the Champions League in emphatic style. They are 4-0 winners on the night and 7-1 victors on aggregate, with Wayne Rooney the star of the show this evening. It was a very good performance, and it is safe to say that they have left their Premier League scoring woes behind.

Rooney ended his 10-match goalscoring drought in style by netting a hat-trick to put United in complete control, getting the first after 20 minutes with a cool finish from Memphis's pass. His second saw him apply the finishing touch to a slick team move, while he bagged the match ball by sliding a low effort home just before the hour. Herrera then added a fourth six minutes later, and it should have been more for United as Hernandez missed a penalty and a sitter in the second half.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was a memorable night for Manchester United, but one to forget from a Brugge perspective. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. We have live coverage of the group stage draw tomorrow afternoon, plus action from the Europa League as Southampton look to progress. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!

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Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United goes past Oscar Duarte of Club Brugge during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Round Play Off First Leg match between Manchester United and Club Brugge at Old Trafford on August 18, 2015
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League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool660018
2Barcelona650115
3B. Leverkusen641113
4Inter Milan641113
5Brest641113
6Arsenal641113
7Aston Villa641113
8Lille641113
9Bayern640212
10Dortmund640212
11Atletico640212
12AC Milan640212
13Atalanta632111
14Juventus632111
15Benfica631210
16Feyenoord631210
17Brugge631210
18Monaco631210
19Sporting Lisbon631210
20Real Madrid63039
21Celtic62319
22Man City62228
23PSV62228
24Dinamo Zagreb62228
25PSG62137
26Stuttgart62137
27Shakhtar61144
28Sparta Prague61144
29Sturm Graz61053
30Girona61053
31Red Star61053
32Salzburg61053
33Bologna60242
34RB Leipzig60060
35Slovan Bratislava60060
36Young Boys60060


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