Rooney's form a concern as United back in Champions League

MANCHESTER — Manchester United will want more than just a first-leg lead from its Champions League playoff against Bruges tomorrow (Aug 19, morning, Singapore time).

A goal from Wayne Rooney would be very welcome, too.

Rooney's form is the main concern in an otherwise solid start to the season from United, which has won both of its opening games in the Premier League by 1-0 scorelines.

The England captain is United's No 1 striker this season following the off-season departures of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao, yet he hasn't scored in the last eight games for his club and has only attempted one shot from open play this season.

Against Aston Villa on Friday, Rooney only touched the ball once in the penalty area all game.

Rooney should be given another chance to end his barren streak when Bruges visits Old Trafford for what might be the biggest mismatch of the 10 playoff matches. Each winning side over two legs enters the group stage starting next month, which will earn those clubs €12 million (S$16.9 million) just for advancing — as well as €2 million for winning the playoff.

Bruges was the Belgian league's runner-up last season and is in third place after four games of the new season. It was a European Cup runner-up to Liverpool in 1978 and a Europa League quarter-finalist last season.

Seeking to return to the main draw of the Champions League after a year's absence, United should prove to be too much for the Belgian visitors.

Crucially, the 20-time English champions look more assured defensively with a midfield barrier of Michael Carrick and new signing Morgan Schneiderlin offering better protection, while Louis van Gaal's high pressing game is proving difficult for opponents. Van Gaal also has the option in midfield of Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, who could be handed his first competitive start.

The Dutch coach will want to see more from his attack, with Netherlands forward Memphis Depay yet to justify his billing as potentially the next Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford. It may only be when Rooney finds his form that Depay will prosper.

There are five first-leg matches both tomorrow and Wednesday. Here are some things to know about them:

BIG SPENDER

New Valencia owner Peter Lim invested heavily last season with the goal of returning the club to the Champions League.

Now the Spanish club must get past Monaco to reach the lucrative group phase, and it may do so without its best defender.

Argentina centre back Nicolas Otamendi reportedly did not train yesterday, amid speculation he is about to join English side Manchester City.

Monaco will also be without a key player. Midfielder Joao Moutinho, Otamendi's former teammate at FC Porto, will miss the match with a right ankle injury.

Valencia has yet to start its domestic league campaign this season, unlike Monaco.

OUTSIDERS

Kazakhstan and Albania are looking to secure representation in the group stage of the Champions League for the first time.

FC Astana of Kazakhstan is in the competition for the first time and takes on APOEL Nicosia of Cyprus tomorrow. APOEL went on its own fairy tale run in 2012, reaching the quarter-finals.

Skenderbeu, the first Albanian side to reach the playoffs, will meet Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia on Wednesday.

FAMILIAR FOE

German side Bayer Leverkusen will come up against a familiar opponent in its playoff against Lazio.

Germany striker Miroslav Klose is starting his fifth season with the Italian side after switching from Bayern Munich in 2011. The World Cup winner won two league titles in four seasons at Bayern after three prolific years at Werder Bremen.

It could be the last season for the 37-year-old striker, who is determined to help Lazio reach Europe's premier competition after an eight-year absence.

"I can hardly wait," Klose said. "Bayern is a strong team. With Bayern we always had trouble. It won't be easy at all."

OTHER MATCHES

Tomorrow’s (Wednesday morning, Singapore time) other games are: BATE Borisov vs. Partizan Belgrade; and Sporting Lisbon vs. CSKA Moscow.

On Wednesday (Thursday morning, Singapore time), it's: Celtic vs. Malmo; FC Basel vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv; and Rapid Vienna vs. Shakhtar Donetsk. AP