How can Manchester United be eliminated by Club Brugge in their Champions League play-off?

A look at the potential outcomes in Belgium as the away goal comes into play

Louis van Gaal has a word with Wayne Rooney during Tuesday's training session (Reuters)

Louis van Gaal has described tonight's match between Manchester United and Club Brugge as the most important of his Old Trafford tenure.

When asked if the Champions League play-off second leg in Belgium was of that magnitude, he replied: "Yes, because it was our aim for the last year to participate in the Champions League and still we are not participating."

Manchester United are close to a place in Thursday's draw and the group stage of the competition - but they're not quite there yet.

They won 3-1 in the first leg at Old Trafford, with a Memphis Depay double and Marouane Fellaini header going a long way to righting Michael Carrick's early own goal.

But that goal from the United midfielder could come back to haunt Manchester United, with away goals counting double should the tie be level on aggregate. Here, we look at the potential outcomes...

Manchester United win tonight = Manchester United progress

Manchester United and Club Brugge draw tonight = Manchester United progress

Manchester United lose by 1 goal = Manchester United progress

Manchester United lose by 2 goals + fail to score (i.e 2-0) = Manchester United exit

Manchester United lose by 2 goals + score 1 goal (i.e 3-1) = Match goes to extra-time and if still level then penalties. If match is level but goals have been scored in extra-time, Manchester United progress on away goals

Manchester United lose by 2 goals + score 2 or more goals (i.e. 4-2) = Manchester United progress

Manchester United lose by 3 goals or more = Manchester United exit

Memphis Depay during his two-goal performance against Club Brugge (GETTY IMAGES)

Tonight's match at the Jan Breydel Stadion kicks off at 7.45pm.