Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Champions League showdown between Wolfsburg and Manchester United at the Volkswagen Arena. It is not quite a must-win match for either side, but victory would guarantee top spot in Group B and a safe passage through to the last 16. There is everything to play for tonight, then, so we should be in for an intriguing encounter. Let's start with a look at the two teams...

WOLFSBURG STARTING XI: Benaglio; Träsch, Naldo, Dante, Rodriguez; Arnold, Guilavogui, Vieirinha, Kruse, Draxler; Schürrle

WOLFSBURG SUBS: Casteels, Bendtner, Schäfer, Klose, Caligiuri, Dost, Jung

MAN UTD STARTING XI: De Gea; Varela, Smalling, Blind, Darmian; Fellaini, Schweinsteiger, Lingard, Mata, Memphis; Martial

MAN UTD SUBS: Romero, Borthwick-Jackson, McNair, Carrick, Pereira, Young, Powell

What can we make of those two sides, then? Well, perhaps the biggest news from the home side's perspective is the return of Dante at the heart of the defence. He comes straight back into the side having missed the weekend's game through suspension, with Klose the man to drop to the bench to accommodate his return. The Brazilian has enjoyed success in this competition with Bayern Munich before - including a victory over Manchester United - so he will no doubt be looking to use that experience today.

That is one of just two changes made to the side that lost to Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, with the other also coming in defence as Trasch plays at right-back. Vieirinha pushes further forward as a consequence, which sees Caligiuri - who scored in the reverse fixture between these two sides - drop to the bench.

There will be plenty of familiar names in the Wolfsburg squad to followers of English football, with Andre Schurrle - formerly of Chelsea - leading the line tonight. He will be given support once again by Kruse, and it is that duo who United will need to be most wary of in this match as both can be a big threat to the opposition goal when on form.

The same applies to Julian Draxler, who was a rumoured target of Arsenal for a number of years before his switch to Wolfsburg. He has only just returned from an injury, but Dieter Hecking has chosen to give him another start tonight and his trickery and creativity could cause real problems for the United defence if they don't keep a close eye on him. There are goals throughout this Wolfsburg team, though, with Rodriguez getting on the scoresheet from left-back at the weekend.

Manchester United have done a good job of keeping teams at bay so far this season, though, and they will hope to do so again tonight despite being heavily depleted by injuries. The biggest sign of that comes in defence as Varela is given his first ever start for the club, replacing McNair at right-back. McNair is on the bench, but there were questions over his fitness in the build-up to this game after he picked up an ankle injury at the weekend.

The only other change to the team that drew with West Ham United on Saturday comes in midfield, with Morgan Schneiderlin joining an ever-growing list of United players on the treatment table. His absence means that Marouane Fellaini starts in the deeper role that he has often played under Louis van Gaal, partnering Schweinsteiger in the middle of the park. Interestingly, the Belgian has been preferred to Carrick, who once again has to settle for a place on the bench.

That decision has perhaps been made with one eye on the prospect of needing to switch to a more attacking formation later in the game, and wanting to keep as many subs as possible in the process. Wayne Rooney is another absentee tonight, which again sees Martial lead the line. Memphis is the man to replace Schneiderlin in the starting XI, and he is expected to play on the left, with Mata operating as the number 10 and Lingard on the right.

United fans may feel a little worried that there isn't much on the bench for them tonight should things get tense in the closing stages. Ashley Young is the only experienced player who could be considered attacking, and even he has spent much of the last few seasons as a defender. If United find themselves needing a goal late on, their options may well be limited to Nick Powell, who is in the first-team squad for the first time in more than a year following a long spell out through injury.

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It may well be a tactic of Wolfsburg to simply sit back and see what United have to hurt them, then, although that would be a dangerous ploy from Dieter Hecking. His side come into this one sitting top of Group B, but only two points separate them from PSV, so defeat could well see them eliminated from the competition. This one is just as important to the German outfit as it is for United.

They are rightly considered the favourites to progress, though, holding home advantage in a game they only need to draw to guarantee a place in the last 16 for what would be the first time in their history. They are yet to draw in this season's group stages, though, and Hecking will probably be eyeing a victory to ensure that his side stay safe from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the next round.

It has been a bit of a mixed bag for Wolfsburg in the Champions League so far this season, although the same could be said of all the teams in Group B. They have so far alternated between victories and defeats, and the good news for United fans is that if that pattern was to continue today, United would progress as group winners. CSKA Moscow have been beaten home and away so far, while they have beaten and lost to PSV, as well as losing at Old Trafford to today's opponents.

They are, in fact, the only current leader of a Champions League group to have lost twice in this year's competition, while they have also conceded the most of the top teams (4). With six goals, none of the teams topping their standings have scored fewer either, so perhaps we shouldn't expect them to launch an assault on Europe's elite just yet, even if they were to win today.

They have certainly become more of a force over the past year or so, though, and domestically things are going fairly well for them too at the moment. They do currently sit outside the Champions League places in the Bundesliga, but they are just one point off third place having won seven of their 14 games to date. That does put them 15 behind Bayern already, but in reality it was always going to be a big ask to stay in touch with Pep Guardiola's side.

Their form in recent matches has been fairly mixed, with three defeats in their last six outings in all competitions. However, one of their victories in that same timeframe saw them thrash Werder Bremen 6-0, while they have kept three clean sheets in their last four games, with the exception coming in a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

That loss, with saw Wolfsburg equalise in the 91st minute but then concede a second two minutes later, ended a 29-match unbeaten streak at home in the Bundesliga that stretches back to March 2014, and it is their form at the Volkswagen Arena which makes this such a tough ask for United tonight. Wolfsburg have only been beaten four times in their last 40 outings here, although those two of those have come in Europe and one of those was against English opposition in the form of Everton. They have only ever lost one Champions League game at home, but that did come against today's opposition exactly six years ago to the day.

A lot has changed for Manchester United since then, though, and while the starting XI in that match six years ago was not exactly the best of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, it still got the job done. The current crop - or rather the current style - is a far cry from the halcyon days of Fergie, and despite United being potentially just 90 minutes away from the last 16 of the Champions League and still in the title race domestically, fans are not happy.

Grumbles of discontent could be heard at the final whistle of Saturday's 0-0 draw with West Ham United as Louis van Gaal's side drew yet another blank. In truth, United played with more intent during that match than they have in many of their games this season, but they still lacked a real threat in the final third - as proven by only managing to get one of their 21 shots on target throughout the course of the 90 minutes.

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It is those troubles in front of goal which have been the cause of the frustration amongst United fans. Saturday's draw was their third 0-0 in seven home league games this season, and there was another one against PSV Eindhoven last month that ensured that tonight's game carries a great deal of significance. United would have qualified for the last 16 with a game to spare had they beaten PSV, but now it looks like a difficult task for Van Gaal's side.

They have failed to score in five of their last nine games in all competitions, which is simply a stat that you wouldn't have heard under Ferguson. Perhaps it is unfair to compare Van Gaal to United's greatest ever manager - some may argue the greatest manager of all time - but that sort of comparison comes with the territory at a club the size on United now. The fans have grown accustomed to winning - often in style - and they want to see that sort of attacking football return.

It is now three draws on the bounce coming into tonight's game, making it seven in their last 11 games in all competitions. United are unbeaten (excluding penalties) during that spell, which should not be ignored, but it is still too many dropped points from their perspective. The fact that they are still just three points off the top of the Premier League is as much to do with other teams slipping up as well.

On the flip side of their attacking woes, United's defensive record deserves a lot of praise. They have the best defence in the Premier League, conceding just 10 goals in 15 games, while they have kept a whopping eight clean sheets in their last 11 outings and 14 in their 24 games all season. Another clean sheet may well be enough tonight, but to keep qualification entirely in their own hands they will need a goal at the other end too.

All three of United's defeats inside 90 minutes this season have come away from home, but they are unbeaten in their last five on the road, since their defeat to Arsenal in October. Their away record in the Champions League is not quite as encouraging as that recent form, however. United have won just one of their last nine away games in the Champions League proper, although that did come in Germany.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at the Volkswagen Arena, which means that it is time for a prediction! In truth, I can't see this one being a particularly high-scoring affair. Both sides will probably be more afraid to lose than keen to win as a draw could be good enough for both. I am expecting it to be decided by just the one goal, and the injury-ravaged nature of United's squad means that I'm going to side with the hosts. 1-0 to Wolfsburg!

Wolfsburg record against English teams is pretty dire, though, it must be said. They have lost each of their last seven meetings with Premier League sides in Europe, including all three of their previous clashes with Manchester United. The English only side they have beaten was Portsmouth back in the 2008-09 UEFA Cup.

United's record in Germany, on the other hand, is fairly mixed. They have won five, drawn four and lost five of their previous visits here, including defeat to Bayern Munich on their way out of the competition on their most recent trip. However, looking only at matches in the group stages of the Champions League, United have only lost once in their last six visits, winning three and drawing two.

Their last trip here saw them pick up all three points too, with Michael Owen netting a hat-trick in reply to an Edin Dzen strike to hand the Red Devils a 3-1 victory on this day in 2009. In the reverse fixture this season, United were forced to recover from an early Caligiuri goal with a penalty from Mata and a Chris Smalling winner to pick up a 2-1 victory.

Right, we're just about ready to go at the Volkswagen Arena in a huge match for both of these teams. At least one of these sides could end up relying on matters in Eindhoven, where PSV are facing CSKA Moscow, so we will keep you up to date with any major events from that one.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! United get us underway as they go in search of a victory that will guarantee their place in the last 16.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Wolfsburg to grab an early lead here! A high ball arrives from the right that Kruse flicks on to find Schurrle in acres of space. He even has time to take a touch, but instead chooses to take the volley first time, lashing his effort over the bar with only De Gea to beat. That should be 1-0.

Really good pressing from United here as they hound the keeper and defence deep inside the Wolfsburg half. That eventually draws the mistake from Dante, who gives the ball away in a dangerous position, but the hosts survive.

Wolfsburg have certainly made a bright start on the ball, but United will be equally as encouraged by their work off the ball so far. It doesn't look like either side are settling for the draw here.

United create their first shooting chance of the match, with the ball being worked to Mata on the edge of the box, but Fellaini gets in the way and the flag is up against the Belgian for offside.

What a start for United! They take the lead after just 10 minutes as the ball is fed to the feet of Mata, who is afforded the space to swivel and play a fine through-pass to Martial. The youngster beats the offside trap and only has the keeper to beat, which he does with aplomb. Big, big goal for the youngster to come up with.

As things stand, then, United sit top of Group B having snaffled up their first chance of the game, while Wolfsburg squandered theirs. There is still a long way to go, but United know from experience that they can keep teams at bay so it is up to Wolfsburg now.

Well that didn't take long! Wolfsburg come up with an immediate response as Rodriguez's deep free kick is volleyed home by Naldo on the run. That is some finish from the defender, who had stolen a yard before steering what was a difficult chance right into the corner. Who said there wouldn't be goals in this one?!

At the other end United themselves look to provide a quick riposte as Martial races down the left to the byline before cutting a low cross into the area that Benaglio is just about able to deal with in front of Mata.

WOLFSBURG SUB: This is an early blow for Wolfsburg as Rodriguez is forced off through injury, being replaced by Marcel Schafer. It is not obvious where he picked up that injury, but it can't be a tactical switch at this stage.

YELLOW CARD! Darmian picks up an early yellow card for a tug back on his man, gifting Wolfsburg another free kick.

Arnold is the man on set-piece duty in Rodriguez's absence, but his first attempt is poor as he over-hits the delivery out for a goal kick.

Both sides have already drawn a few questionable clearances from the opposition defence with their high pressing up the field, and if the ball keeps being given away so cheaply in dangerous areas then it could come back to haunt at least one of these sides.

De Gea is called into action here, but it is a simple one for the Spanish keeper. Vieirinha picked the ball up on the left channel before cutting inside, but his effort deflected into the arms of De Gea.

Anthony Martial, who has been the standout player so far this evening, wheels away in celebration having opened the scoring for Manchester United.

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CHANCE! Very nearly a second for United to get back into the lead! The visitors win a corner which Blind swings into a very dangerous position for Fellaini to attack. It is a stooping header rather than his usual towering ones, but Benaglio reacts brilliant to make a fine save from close range before his defender completes the clearance.

Wolfsburg's first goal was pretty tidy, but this is pure class from the hosts. It is a wonderful team goal as Schurrle collects a diagonal ball before finding Draxler. He beats one defender with a swerve before exchanging a one-two with Kruse to make his way into the box. Despite playing a huge role in the build-up, Draxler is very unselfish and squares the ball to Vieirinha, who has a simple finish.

That goal came just two minutes after Benaglio had made a huge save at the other end, and all of a sudden United are in need of another. As things stand, with the match between PSV and CSKA still goalless, United will be out of the Champions League.

Shooting chance for United, but it is by no means an easy one. The ball drops out to Schweinsteiger around 30 yards from goal, and he lashes a powerful effort well over the crossbar.

Well, I must admit that I was expecting a bit of a boring match tonight but that has not been the case at all. Both sides have gone for the victory, and with 10 minutes left of the first half it is very finely poised.

Schurrle looks at add a third before half time as he collects another switch pass before stealing a yard on Varela, who just about gets back in time to put the ball behind for a corner.

Wolfsburg have had 58% of the ball so far in this match, which is no surprise considering how they usually play but is also something that United won't be used to. They often enjoy the lion's share of the ball, and perhaps the lack of that tonight is contributing to their more attacking style.

CHANCE! United may have just been kept in the Champions League by De Gea. The ball is worked over to Draxler after United had lost the ball in a dangerous area of the field, and the former Schalke man suddenly finds himself in on goal. United scramble back, but Draxler keeps his composure and takes his time to fire off the shot. When it eventually does arrive, however, De Gea makes a very good stop.

SAVE! Benaglio is called into action at the other end as Lingard hits one from outside the box, but it is pretty straightforward for the Wolfsburg keeper.

MAN UTD SUB: United are also forced into sub in this first half, and it is another full-back who has fallen foul of injury. Darmian limps off to be replaced by Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, with Ashley Young still on the bench.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Controversy here as United think that they have equalised, only for the linesman to raise his flag and disallow the goal in the midst of the celebrations. Borthwick-Jackson had won the ball back well for his side with his first action before finding Lingard, whose low cross appeared to fly straight into the bottom corner. Mata wheels away celebrating, and the flag is up against him, but it didn't appear as though he got a touch. It was a very late decision from the linesman, but it looks as though between the officials they decided that Lingard was interfering in play.

Big controversy at the end of a cracking first half here at the Volkswagen Arena, then. United thought that they had levelled things up, but a late, late flag denied them the equaliser just before half time. As it is, then, Wolfsburg go into the break leading 2-1, which would be enough to send United crashing out of the Champions League if things stay the same.

It all started so well for United as they broke the deadlock after just 10 minutes when Martial latched on to Mata's through-ball before opening his body up and sliding his finish past Benaglio. At that stage, United were top of Group B, but their lead lasted less than four minutes before Naldo steered a fine volley into the bottom corner from Rodriguez's free kick.

Wolfsburg completed the turnaround shortly before the half-hour mark, and it was another fine goal from the hosts. Draxler was the architect as he collected a pass from Schurrle before beating one defender and exchanging a one-two with Kruse. He then only had De Gea to beat, but unselfishly squared it to Vieirinha for a simple finish.

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The big controversy came right at the end of the half when Lingard's low cross/shot nestled into the bottom corner without being touched on the way through, only for the linesman to disallow it very late on. It was the correct decision from the officials in the end, however, as Mata had run across the goalkeeper's line of vision and interfered in play without making contact. Last season it may well have counted, but the new laws came into play and ultimately the right call was made.

There have been further chances at both ends of the field, with Schurrle squandering one after just three minutes when he blazed Kruse's flick-on well over the bar when he really should have scored, or at the very least called De Gea into action. The United keeper was forced into a save five minutes before the break when he denied Draxler, who had danced his way into a good position once again.

United have asked questions of Benaglio too, though, with the Wolfsburg keeper being called into one particularly good stop to deny Fellaini's stooping header from close range. Lingard has also been denied by the keeper, and United have certainly shown enough signs to suggest that they are very much still in this one.

KICKOFF: Wolfsburg get us back underway for the second half, with United just 45 minutes away from a Champions League exit as things stand. No changes for either side at the break, but both teams have already been forced into subs in the first half.

Another late decision from the officials as Naldo is dragged to ground inside his own box by Memphis, although the referee initially waves play on. The chances comes to nothing, but then Milorad Mazic changes his mind and awards the free kick after all, seemingly after communication with the official behind the goal.

Not much to report so far in this second half, which has started off in a low-key fashion compared to the hustle and bustle of the opening 45 minutes. Still plenty of time to go, though.

Neither side have really got into any sort of rhythm so far since the restart, which clearly suits Wolfsburg more than United. The onus is very much on the visitors to find another goal here.

It remains goalless in Eindhoven, which could still end up being good news for United. As things stand, another goal would be enough for them to progress, but a PSV goal would leave them with a real mountain to climb.

UPDATE: In other Champions League news, Cristiano Ronaldo has just scored four goals in double-quick time to put Real Madrid 6-0 up against Malmo. How United could do with a player like him right now!

Still not much to shout about for either side in this second half. It is a far cry from the first, it must be said - we had had a big chance and two goals by this stage in the opening 45 minutes!

YELLOW CARD! Andre Schurrle gets his name taken by the referee for a foul on Lingard, and he can have no real complaints.

CHANCE! Finally United spark into life in this second half as Varela gets forward and puts the cross into the box. Fellaini knocks the ball down towards Mata, but the ball squirms out to Memphis, who acrobatically turns it goalwards to draw a good save from Benaglio.

CHANCE! Another chance falls the way of the visitors as a free kick straight from the training ground sees the ball fed to the edge of the box. Fellaini lays it back to Lingard, who blocked effort almost falls to Mata, although the offside flag was up against the Spaniard anyway.

SAVE! What a save from De Gea, although the problem was all of his own making! Dante pings a beauty of a ball over the defence that draws De Gea a long way out of his own box. Schurrle beats him to the ball, though, and lofts a fine effort on the turn over the head of the Spanish keeper. De Gea is on his way back to goal, however, and manages to claw the ball away with an unorthodox, desperate, brilliant and most importantly effective save.

SAVE! United go up the other end and force Benaglio into action, but this one is a lot easier for the keeper as he collects a low Martial strike.

SAVE! Another cracking stop from De Gea! It is more great football from Wolfsburg, with Draxler again the creator in chief. He threads his pass to Schurrle, who sees his effort tipped over from De Gea.

SAVE! De Gea is a busy man at the moment! Arnold this time unleashes a strike from range and it is swerving all over the place, so De Gea just tips it wide.

CHANCE! Wolfsburg create yet another chance from the resulting corner as Kruse is left completely unmarked from a corner, only to place his volley just wide of the target. Big, big chance.

MAN UTD SUBS: Time for Van Gaal to make his final two changes in an effort to turn this one around. On come Michael Carrick and Nick Powell and off go Schweinsteiger and Mata.

This match has really caught fire again after a slow start to the second half, but United look to have weathered that Wolfsburg storm for now at least.

YELLOW CARD! Naldo goes into the book for a foul on Memphis right on the edge of the box, and that means that he will miss the next match. Of more pressing concern right now, though, is United's free kick in a very dangerous position...

CLOSE! It was too close to go up and over the wall, so Memphis tries to swing one into the goalkeeper's side, only to see it flash narrowly past the post. That was very, very close indeed.

UPDATE: Big news from Eindhoven... CSKA have taken the lead! Ignashevich scored the goal from the penalty spot, while PSV have also been reduced to 10 men. As things stand, then, United will be through after all!

UPDATE: Would you believe it?! PSV have equalised straight away, despite their numerical disadvantage, and now United are on their way back out of the competition courtesy of Luuk de Jong's goal.

WOLFSBURG SUB: The hosts make a change to tighten things up at the back as Timm Klose replaces Vieirinha, whose goal will send United out of the Champions League if everything remains the same.

Things looked good for United just five minutes ago, but all of a sudden they are looking ominous. Smalling is now playing up front having been asked to continue despite limping very heavily, which could well aggravate yet another injury, and to arguably their best player this season. It's either that or they finish this game with 10 men, though.

SAVE! Benaglio is forced into a low save at his near post as Memphis beats his man on the outside before drilling a low effort trying to sneak it in from a tight angle. Benaglio has his angles right, though and turns the ball behind for a corner.

Another twist here as United get a late equaliser! It is such an unfortunate one from the Wolfsburg point of view, though, as Fellaini's downward header from a corner is flicked into his own net by Guilavogui. It is a bit of a shocker from the Wolfsburg man in all honesty.

Oh my word, this is quite incredible! United once again have second place snatched from their grasp straight away as Naldo rises highest in the box to plant his header past De Gea and over the line, despite the efforts of Darmian. Can United hit back again?!

UPDATE: It's looking particularly grim for United now. PSV have just scored again against CSKA Moscow to take the lead, which means that United now need two goals in the closing stages here. Incredible.

CHANCES! United are still pushing for the goals, and they come agonisingly close twice in a matter of seconds here. First the ball is lifted over to Martial, who sees his effort stopped by the defender, before moments later Smalling is denied by an incredible block from Schafer!

CHANCE! Another block, this time from Trasch, denies United again! They are really going for this, but time is running out. It would take a 1999-esque turnaround for them to stay in this competition now, but the way tonight has gone I'm now ruling anything out.

United have three minutes of added time to attempt what would cap off what has been a remarkable night all around Europe.

YELLOW CARD! Varela picks up a late yellow card deep inside his own half, and that could be that tonight.

The final whistle goes on both this incredible match and United's Champions League campaign for 2015-16 as they crash out at the group stages for just the fourth time in their history. It was an extraordinary game of football, far out of keeping with United's recent matches, but ultimately it is Wolfsburg celebrating as they make it through to the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in their history. United, meanwhile, will be playing Europa League football after Christmas.

The drama started as early as the 10th minute when Martial opened the scoring for United, but Naldo quickly levelled things up for the hosts. A brilliant second from Vieirinha gave Wolfsburg the lead at the break, although United were denied a late equaliser before half time by a very late offside flag. Guilavogui's own goal eventually restored parity with just eight minutes left - at the time enough to send United through - but then Naldo got his second of the game just two minutes later to seal United's fate.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what has been a truly remarkable night of Champions League football all around Europe, but particularly here at the Volkswagen Arena. Manchester United are out of the competition by virtue of a 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg, but book their place in the last 16 for the first time ever. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. There is more drama to come tomorrow night too, so make sure you check back in for that! From me, though, it is goodbye for now!