Memphis Depay scored twice in Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Club Brugge. (Getty)
Final Score
Manchester United 2-1 — 3
Club Brugge 1-0 — 1
It was the Memphis Depay show at Old Trafford on Tuesday as Manchester United’s new forward grabbed a brace in a 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the first leg of the Champions League playoff round on Tuesday night.
Teammate Marouane Fellaini netted a vital headed goal in the final seconds to give the Red Devils more breathing room.
Club Brugge took an eighth-minute lead on an own goal from Michael Carrick, and had Brandon Mechele dismissed for two bookable offenses. Looking to hang on in the final minutes, Brugge yielded the back-breaking goal by Fellaini on a cross by Depay.
The second leg will be played next Wednesday. Check below for stats and highlights of the match.
Lineups
Manchester United: Romero, Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw, Carrick, Schneiderlin, Mata, Memphis, Januzaj, Rooney.
Club Brugge: Bruzzese, Cools, Mechele, Duarte, De Bock, Vormer, Simons, Vazquez, Dierckx, Diaby, Bolingoli.
Stats
Goals: Manchester United: Memphis Depay (13′, 43′); Marouane Fellaini (90′) Club Brugge: (Michael Carrick 8′ OG)
Shots (On Goal): Manchester United 18 (8 on goal); Club Brugge 1 (1 on goal)
Tackles: Manchester United 18, Club Brugge 21
Fouls: Manchester United 7, Club Brugge 12
Possession: Manchester United 59%, Club Brugge 41%
Cards: Manchester United: Matteo Darmian (50′), Chris Smalling (; Club Brugge: Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo (25′), Brandon Mechele (73′, 80′ RED), Ruud Vormer (90′)
Brugge Took a Shock Early Lead on a Michael Carrick Own Goal
In just the eighth minute of the match, Club Brugge took a surprising lead when Michael Carrick finished into his own goal. Brugge had an earlier chance cleared off the line, but this time the ball crossed it and Belgians were ahead.
Memphis Depay Scored His First Goal for Manchester United to Tie the Match at 1-1
United’s reply to Brugge’s goal was quick and swift, and Memphis Depay scored his first goal for the club in his first appearance. Depay scored 28 times last season for PSV, and weaved his way around the Brugge defense for this goal.
Depay Struck Again Before Halftime to Give Manchester United the Lead
With two minutes before the break, Depay curled in this excellent shot from outside the box past Brugge keeper Sebastien Bruzzese and into the side of the net.
Depay Missed a Good Chance Midway Through the 2nd Half
In perhaps his easiest chance of the night, Depay missed a chance at a hat trick by firing well over the bar with plenty of space in front of him after an outstanding flick by Wayne Rooney.
Marouane Fellaini Scored Crucial Goal With Final Action of the Game
Manchester United substitute Marouane Fellaini headed in a cross in the final seconds of the match to give his team a far more comfortable advantage heading to Belgium for the second leg.
Preview: Manchester United Look to Secure Champions League Place
Club Brugge signed Abdoulay Diaby from Lille over the summer for $2.5 million. (Getty)
Club Brugge will look to pull of a shock upset in the Champions League playoff round as they visit Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
The Belgian Cup winners will take on a Manchester United team that hasn’t appeared in a Champions League qualifier since 2005; the Red Devils have appeared in the previous 18 Champions League group stages prior to last season’s absence.
The danger man for Brugge is Victor Vasquez, a 28-year-old attacking midfielder who has been with the club since 2011. The former Barcelona youth player was named Belgian Player of the Year for 2014/15.
Sergio Romero will again get the start in goal for Man United, despite David De Gea being eligible and registered for the competition.
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