Charlie Nicholas expects Manchester United and Arsenal to end at Europa League

Former Scotland international Charlie Nicholas has predicted that both Manchester United and Arsenal will fail to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.

Should PSV Eindhoven defeat CSKA Moscow, then United will need to win in Germany against Wolfsburg, while Arsenal need to beat Olympiacos by two clear goals in order to progress.

“Wolfsburg are fifth in the Bundesliga and, in Bas Dost and Max Kruse, they have goals in them, particularly at home, which is unlike United,” Nicholas told Sky Sports News.

“The real worry for me is, as strong as they’ve been at the back, I’m not sure they have the goals in them when it counts and I think they’re going to go out.

“Arsenal can do it, there’s no doubt about that, but I’m not totally convinced that they will because the injury situation is a dramatic one.

For too many years now they’ve needed the big performances and they get them but somehow fall short. I mean, how can you beat Bayern Munich and still be in this situation? “I see Arsenal scoring their two goals but I have a horrible feeling that they’ll get into a good position and then concede and go out.”

Manchester City are already through, while Chelsea need a point against Porto to move into the knockout rounds.