Now that Manchester United are set to face Club Brugge in the Europa League, it’s time for the Belgian press to recall the last meeting between the clubs.
Playing in the Champions League playoffs back in 2015, the Red Devils won the first match at Old Trafford 3-1, and then guaranteed qualification with a 4-0 victory in Belgium.
The match in Brugge was the farewell game for Tom De Sutter, who played for the club for two years and then left for Turkey. And although it wasn’t the best way to say goodbye, it was certainly a memorable time for his career.
Sutter has been interviewed by local website Walfoot, and talked about the memories he has from that game.
“It was my last match with Club Brugge before joining Turkey and Bursaspor. I have fond memories of it despite the heavy defeat and Rooney’s hat-trick. Playing against big teams is a special moment where there is a certain atmosphere. I also had a great opportunity to score,” De Sutter told Walfoot.
Now with the clubs playing each other again, this time first in Belgium and then in England, De Sutter expects ‘revenge’ from Brugge to get the qualification for the round-of-16.
“The club must and can take their revenge. Brugge are much stronger than four years ago. Against PSG, Real and Gala, they have shown that they have the top level. In addition, they would have deserved better given their performance.
“They are able to come out with a weaker Manchester United than in the past, nevertheless the Mancunian club remain a good team and a club with big means as demonstrated by the transfer of Maguire, who became the most expensive defender on the planet. Then players like Martial and Rashford can make the difference in one action. Brugge must believe in their chances but will have to be more precise.”
Manchester United will be confident of progression to the next round, but given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team have struggled against teams they’ve been expected to beat, there’s some hope for Club Brugge.
