Manchester United are set to discover their Champions League fate after almost three years out of the competition. The draw for this season’s league phase takes place at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, on Thursday as the biggest club tournament in the world prepares for a much-anticipated comeback.
Michael Carrick has reclaimed United’s place at Europe’s top table, with the club’s last Champions League fixture having taken place in December 2023. The head coach has been largely effective in the Old Trafford hot seat thus far but faces another career first in attempting to steer his side through the continental contest.
United will face off against two teams from each of the four pots during the league phase, which will be unveiled on Thursday. And there’s one particular line-up of opponents that would make for the most difficult possible route to the knockout stages.
PSG (Pot 1)
It doesn’t get any harder than the back-to-back European champions. Paris Saint-Germain continue to break boundaries under the management of Luis Enrique, who has arguably made his squad even stronger over the summer months.
United and PSG each boast two wins over one another, the most recent of which ended in a 3-1 win for the French powerhouse in December 2020. However, Les Parisiens have made massive strides since then and would represent an entirely different threat today.
Head-to-head record: 2W 2L
Barcelona (Pot 1)
Marcus Rashford and Frenkie de Jong celebrate during a Barcelona Champions League win
View 4 Images
Marcus Rashford could face some very familiar faces if United are drawn against Barcelona(Image: Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford could return to Barcelona after all this season should United get Hansi Flick’s side in Europe. And the reigning champions of La Liga look as though they could be onto another big season after starting their campaign with a 5-0 win at Elche on Sunday.
The addition of Manchester City marvel Rodri is another masterstroke by Barca that threatens to put the Catalans back at the top of the continental pyramid. United have won only one of their last six encounters and only four from 15 overall, the most recent of which was a 3-1 Europa League victory in 2023.
Head-to-head record: 4W 6L 5D
Borussia Dortmund (Pot 2)
Pot 2 features an eclectic mix of European also-rans (including United themselves), though Borussia Dortmund stand out as arguably the biggest threat. Remarkably, United haven’t met the Black and Yellows in almost 30 years (since April 1997) and succumbed in each of their only two Champions League showdowns.
After finishing as runners-up in the Bundesliga last season, Dortmund have made a number of signings this summer that could put them back in contention for a domestic title. Konstantinos Karetsas and Joane Gadou in particular look like smart additions after each scoring in a pre-season win away to Premier League champions Arsenal.
Head-to-head record: 3W 2L 1D
Porto (Pot 2)
United have always held a somewhat problematic rivalry with Porto, who remain something of a bogey team for Carrick’s side. United have won only three of their nine meetings in total, albeit the Dragons have won only two of those themselves.
Arguably the most infamous of the showdowns between the two outfits came in the knockout stages of the 2003/04 Champions League when United were sent packing in the last 16. Porto are reigning champions of the Primeira Liga and represent more of a wildcard threat than fellow Pot 2 occupants like Aston Villa, Roma, PSV or Real Betis.
Head-to-head record: 3W 2L 4D
Villarreal (Pot 3)
Villarreal’s Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Europa League final football match between Villarreal CF and Manchester United at the Gdansk Stadium in Gdansk
View 4 Images
Villarreal pipped United to the 2021 Europa League title on penalties(Image: MICHAEL SOHN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arguably the most intimidating threat residing in Pot 3, Villarreal are under new management after Inigo Perez replaced club icon Marcelino this summer. However, Perez has picked up where he left off at Rayo Vallecano and enjoyed a very positive pre-season before opening the campaign with entertaining draws at Atletico Madrid and Racing Santander.
Granted, United have won each of their past two clashes with the Yellow Submarine, but they failed to top any of their five meetings prior to that. That run of course includes the penalty shootout defeat in the 2021 Europa League final.
Head-to-head record: 2W 1L 4D
Galatasaray (Pot 3)
Another domestic champion that could pop up on United’s path this season is Galatasaray. The Lions pipped Fenerbahce to the Super Lig crown last season and boast an impressive record in this head-to-head, avoiding defeat in each of their last three run-ins.
United have only managed two wins from eight encounters with Gala overall, both of which materialised at Old Trafford. They wouldn’t be the first team to struggle in overcoming the atmosphere in Istanbul, which could be a culture shock for a team lacking in Champions League experience.
Head-to-head record: 2W 2L 4D
Como (Pot 4)
Cesc Fabregas of Como celebrates at the end of the Serie A match between Como and Lecce
View 4 Images
Cesc Fabregas has been a huge success as Como manager thus far(Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
The quality runs deep in the four Champions League pots this year, so much so that threats like Cesc Fabregas’ Como lead the best of the rest. The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder has a very similar amount of coaching experience as Carrick and will also be making his Champions League debut in the dugout this term.
United have never met Como to date, though that only adds to the intrigue after Fabregas’ side clinched fourth in Serie A on the final day of last season. The Italians look like free-scoring menaces under the guidance of Champions League-winner Fabregas, with fireworks all but guaranteed under a United team that packs similar attacking potential.
Head-to-head record: No competitive history.
Lens (Pot 4)
Last but not least, Lens are very much a phantom-like presence in Pot 4 after finishing as Ligue 1 runners-up last term. Again, United have never met the French upstarts in competitive conditions, with their only meeting to date being a 2023 summer friendly that the Old Trafford hosts won 3-1.
In a way, one can feel some sympathy for Lens falling as far as Pot 4 after giving PSG a run for their money domestically last season. Pierre Sage has left their helm to take over at Crystal Palace, though former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Dino Toppmoller looks a very astute appointment as his successor.
