Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial returned to training for Manchester United on Tuesday, though the team could still be hindered by a lengthy injury list as it bids to secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions league against PSV Eindhoven.
The two forwards missed United’s 2-1 win over Watford on Saturday — Rooney because he was ill and Martial with a foot injury — and Marouane Fellaini was also back in training after a calf injury.
But midfielder Michael Carrick will not play against PSV on Wednesday because of an ankle problem, while Ander Herrera and Phil Jones were taken off with hamstring and ankle injuries at Watford. Antonio Valencia and luke Shaw are also long term absentees.
Elsewhere in Group B, German side Wolfsburg travels to Russia to play CSKA Moscow.
Memphis Depay has struggled to reproduce sparkling form that earned him a move from PSV to United earlier this year, but there are signs he is getting there.
He led United’s attack in the absence of Rooney and Martial on Saturday and opened the scoring against Watford with a composed finish.
The 21-year-old Netherlands international believes he is gradually returning to his best from. “I think every young player goes through things but I keep training,” Depay said. “It was important for me to score a goal when I got a chance. I was happy.”
United boss Van Gaal, whose team lost against PSV in the opening match in Group B, is expecting another hard encounter. “It is very important to win, but it is not easy because every game you have to play you cannot say we will beat them,” Van Gaal said. “I think that they are a very good team.”
While, PSV has not qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions league since 2007 but will arrive at Old Trafford with the last 16 firmly in its sights. Philippe Cocu’s side is only a point behind United in second place in Group B on six points, but is level with Wolfsburg.
‘Je Suis Paris’ is PSG’s slogan
“Je suis Paris” will be the declaration from Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday with the French capital still reeling from the attacks that left 130 people dead.
PSG will wear that slogan on its shirts against Malmo on Wednesday in place of its regular sponsor as a sign of solidarity with the city after the Nov. 13 attacks.
In Sweden, meanwhile, the attention is on PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic as he returns to his hometown and the team where he made his mark domestically.
Group A has yielded few surprises so far. One of the group’s two clear favorites, Real Madrid, has already qualified, while PSG can do so with a win against outsider Malmo.
A draw would be enough for PSG to qualify unless Shakhtar Donetsk beats Madrid in Wednesday’s other game.
Paris Saint-Germain coach laurent Blanc is in a good position as his team travels to Sweden almost at full strength following an eighth consecutive win in the French league.
Midfielder Javier Pastore has resumed training after a bout of conjunctivitis and a leg problem while Angel Di Maria is expected to be ready for the trip to Malmo after recovering from a calf injury.
Among those doubtful are Marco Verratti — who is still recovering from an ankle injury — and Ezequiel lavezzi (knee), while David luiz is suspended.
Malmo’s fans are torn as they prepare to receive Paris Saint-Germain. As much as they love their team, this time the opponents have a player they adore even more: Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The PSG striker, who grew up in Malmo, will be playing his first competitive club-level match in the city since joining Ajax in 2001.
Knowing interest in his homecoming is huge, Ibrahimovic has booked an entire square in downtown Malmo where the game will be shown on a big screen for those weren’t able to get tickets.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid has more at stake than finishing Group A in first place when it visits Shakhtar Donetsk.
The 10-time European champion needs a convincing win to restore the faith of its disgruntled fans after a humiliating loss to Barcelona.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez publicly backed coach Rafa Benitez on Monday, two days after the 4-0 debacle to its fiercest rival. With Madrid’s supporters angry at the president, coach and team, the pressure is also on its well-paid players to respond.
Not one of Madrid’s starting 11 from Saturday’s “clasico” has escaped scathing criticism in Spain.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been targeted not only for his lackluster performance against Barcelona, as the Champions league’s all-time leading scorer with 83 goals hasn’t scored in Madrid’s last three matches. The Portugal forward has found the net three times in his last eight games.