Manchester United discover their Champions League fate today as the league phase is drawn. The Red Devils return to European elite competition after finishing fourth last season and will be in the hat at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland under Michael Carrick for the first time. However, they may yet receive an unfortunate draw that puts their place in the competition at risk.
United will face two teams from each of the four pots, while being unable to face any other Premier League side. Express Sport has looked at what the worst-case draw would look like.
Pot 1: PSG and Barcelona
It doesn't come any tougher than the consecutive European champions. Paris Saint-Germain continue to push boundaries under the stewardship of Luis Enrique, who has arguably strengthened his squad even further during the summer transfer window. United and PSG have two victories each, the latest of which was a 3-1 triumph for the French giants in December 2020. However, Les Parisiens have progressed enormously since that point and would pose an entirely different challenge today. Head-to-head record: 2W 2L.
Marcus Rashford could face Barcelona again this season should United draw Hansi Flick's side in Europe. The reigning La Liga champions appear set for another strong campaign after opening with a 5-0 victory at Elche on Sunday. The acquisition of Manchester City star Rodri represents another shrewd move by Barcelona that threatens to restore the Catalans to the summit of the continental hierarchy. United have claimed just one victory from their last six meetings and only four from 15 overall, the most recent being a 3-1 Europa League triumph in 2023. Head-to-head record: 4W 6L 5D.
Pot 2: Dortmund and Porto
Pot 2 contains a diverse collection of European contenders (including United themselves), though Borussia Dortmund emerge as arguably the most formidable threat. Remarkably, United haven't faced Dortmund in nearly 30 years (since April 1997) and lost both of their two Champions League clashes. Following their runner-up finish in the Bundesliga last season, Dortmund have completed several signings this summer that could help them challenge for a domestic crown. Konstantinos Karetsas and Joane Gadou especially appear astute acquisitions after both finding the net in a pre-season victory away to Premier League champions Arsenal. Head-to-head record: 3W 2L 1D.
United have always shared a somewhat troublesome rivalry with Porto, who remain something of a bogey side for Carrick's men. United have claimed victory in only three of their nine encounters overall, though Porto themselves have triumphed in just two of those. Arguably the most notorious of the clashes between the two clubs came in the knockout rounds of the 2003/04 Champions League, when United were eliminated in the last 16. Porto are the reigning Primeira Liga champions and pose a more unpredictable threat than fellow Pot 2 sides such as Aston Villa, Roma, PSV, or Real Betis. Head-to-head record: 3W 2L 4D.
Pot 3: Villarreal and Galatasaray
Arguably the most formidable danger lurking in Pot 3, Villarreal are under fresh leadership after Inigo Perez succeeded club legend Marcelino in the summer. Nevertheless, Perez has continued in fine fashion from his time at Rayo Vallecano, enjoying a highly encouraging pre-season before beginning the campaign with spirited draws against Atletico Madrid and Racing Santander. Admittedly, United have emerged victorious in each of their last two encounters with the Yellow Submarine, yet they failed to finish on top in any of their five previous meetings. That sequence naturally encompasses the penalty shootout defeat in the 2021 Europa League final. Head-to-head record: 2W 1L 4D.
Another domestic champion who could emerge as a threat on United's route this season is Galatasaray. The Lions edged out Fenerbahce for the Super Lig title last season and boast a formidable record in this particular fixture, remaining unbeaten across their last three encounters. United have managed just two victories from eight meetings with Galatasaray overall, both of which came at Old Trafford. They would hardly be the first side to struggle against the electric atmosphere in Istanbul, which could prove a real eye-opener for a squad with limited Champions League experience. Head-to-head record: 2W 2L 4D.
Pot 4: Como and Lens
The calibre of opposition across the four Champions League pots this year runs exceptionally deep, to the extent that sides such as Cesc Fabregas' Como represent the finest of the remaining challengers. The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder possesses managerial experience comparable to Carrick's and will likewise be making his Champions League bow in the dugout this campaign. United have never faced Como before, though that only heightens the fascination after Fabregas' side secured fourth place in Serie A on the final day of last season. The Italians appear to be free-flowing goal machines under the stewardship of Champions League winner Fabregas, with an entertaining spectacle virtually guaranteed against a United side carrying an equally dangerous attacking threat. Head-to-head record: No competitive history.
Last but not least, Lens cut a somewhat mysterious figure in Pot 4, having finished as Ligue 1 runners-up last season. Once again, United have never faced the French outfit in competitive action; their only encounter to date was a 2023 summer friendly, which the Old Trafford side won 3-1. In many respects, there is a degree of sympathy for Lens dropping as low as Pot 4 after pushing PSG all the way domestically last campaign. Pierre Sage has departed the dugout to take charge at Crystal Palace, though former Eintracht Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmoller appears a positive choice as his replacement. Head-to-head record: No competitive history.
