Wolfsburg throw down gauntlet to United

• Wolfsburg will be through with a draw and will definitely clinch first place with a win
• United, a point behind their hosts in second, need a win to guarantee qualification
• United are 11 matches unbeaten but only four were victories
• Wayne Rooney, out with an ankle injury, is one of several United absentees
• The German side have never reached the last 16 (this is only their second campaign)
  

Possible lineups
Wolfsburg: Benaglio; Träsch, Naldo, Dante, R Rodríguez; Arnold, Guilavogui/Luiz Gustavo; Vierinha, Draxler, Caligiuri; Dost.
Out: Felipe (foot), Knoche (ankle)
Doubtful: Luiz Gustavo (back)

United: De Gea; McNair, Smalling, Blind; Young, Carrick, Schweinsteiger, Mata, Darmian; Depay, Martial.
Out: Rooney (ankle), Schneiderlin (hip), Jones (ankle), Herrera (hamstring), Valencia (foot), Rojo (shoulder), Shaw (broken leg)
Doubtful: McNair (ankle)

Dieter Hecking, Wolfsburg coach
We shouldn't be too concerned about United; we should be focusing on ourselves. I don't feel any pressure. I am really looking forward to this game and I know my team will do all they can for the historic achievement of reaching the knockout stage.

We want to stir up the fans' enthusiasm and we will do all we can to reach the next round. We are capable of competing with anyone, even Manchester United. We're not considering a draw – we want to win.

We pay attention to lots of things; Manchester United had better pay attention to us, too.

Louis van Gaal, United manager
Football is about scoring goals, that is the most important aspect; as a manager you cannot be pleased when it is like this [a struggle]. You never know for sure that the goals will come, but when you are creating chances you will score and finish them in the end. It's a matter of time and I hope we can prove it tomorrow.

It is very important for the club to continue in the Champions League and the players want to show their qualities at the highest level. You have to prove as a club, as a team, as players – you have to prove that you can continue. We cannot depend on the PSV result.

©UEFA.com

Weekend results
Wolfsburg 1-2 Dortmund (Rodriguez 90+1pen; Reus 32, Kagawa 90+3)
In a frantic finish, the Wolves lost their 29-game unbeaten home Bundesliga run.

Manchester United 0-0 West Ham
United are three points off leaders Leicester City after failing to find a way past the Hammers at Old Trafford, their third 0-0 draw in seven Premier League home matches this season.

Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Wolfsburg: LDWWLL
United: DDDWWW

Martial and United must fill void left by Rooney©AFP/Getty Images

Reporter's view: Paul Bryan (@UEFAcomPaulB)
The Wolves will be keen to make up for a rare home defeat by earning a first UEFA Champions League round of 16 appearance. Meanwhile, having failed to score in five of their last nine games in all competitions, and with their attack shorn of the injured Rooney, Tuesday's visitors will need to work hard to break down the Group B leaders.

Did you know?
Van Gaal is unbeaten in five encounters with Wolfsburg with Bayern and United, winning four of them; find out more in our match background.