Marouane Fellani’s last-gasp goal gave Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United a 3-1 lead after one leg of its UEFA Champions League playoff against Club Brugge.
The home team’s third goal was assisted by an arrow of a cross from Memphis Depay, who broke out of his mini-slump in a big way with a pair of first-half goals.
[ MATCH RECAP: Manchester United 3-1 Club Brugge ]
The manager is quite pleased with his club’s UCL win, which runs in contrast to Brugge manager Michel Preud’homme’s characterization of his team’s “small” chance at a second leg rebound.
Here’s Van Gaal’s reaction, from the BBC:“I am happy because of the last goal. We have practiced that before when we need Fellaini, we put him in the penalty area because he has that quality.
“I am very happy for Memphis because a player needs that. I said it was a matter of time and hopefully he shall continue. He is 21 and he has only played two seasons for PSV, I have confidence in him.
“It is not a simple opponent. It is still a game but, because of that last goal, it is more confident for us.”
It won’t be simple, but it would be a shock to see United fall by two goals while failing to score in Belgium next Wednesday.
