Manchester United will discover their eight Champions League league phase opponents tonight, with Express Sport simulating the draw ahead of the real event. The revamped UEFA tournament, now in its third consecutive season, has replaced the traditional group stage with a single league table.
United, three-time European Cup winners, are placed in Pot 2 and will face eight different opponents, playing four matches at Old Trafford and four away. The simulation predicts a challenging schedule, beginning with a trip to Paris.
Tough opening away fixtures
The simulated draw starts with an away match against Paris Saint-Germain, the back-to-back winners. United have won both previous trips to the Parc des Princes, in 2019 and 2020, but PSG have since eliminated Arsenal, Liverpool twice, Aston Villa and Chelsea in the last two seasons, while also beating Tottenham in the league phase.
Next up is a home fixture against RB Leipzig, a team United have only played twice. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side won 5-0 six years ago, with a Marcus Rashford hat-trick, but lost the reverse group stage match 3-2. Leipzig were absent from last season's Champions League and won only one of eight league phase games the season before.
An away trip to PSV follows, marking the first meeting between the clubs in 11 years. Louis van Gaal's United lost 2-1 away and drew 0-0 at home in their previous Group B encounters. PSV won the Eredivisie title last year and beat Liverpool 4-1 at Anfield in November.
Home tests and Dutch challenge
Real Betis, managed by former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, visit Old Trafford next. The Spanish side, featuring Hector Bellerin, Isco and former United forward Antony, were eliminated by United in the 2023 Europa League, with Antony scoring in a 4-1 victory.
Another trip to the Netherlands brings Feyenoord, where United lost under Jose Mourinho in the Europa League a decade ago. Feyenoord finished second in the Eredivisie last season, well behind PSV, but remain strong at home. Shaqueel van Persie, 19-year-old son of former United striker Robin van Persie, is a player to watch.
Inter Milan and final fixtures
Inter Milan provide the toughest home test in the simulated draw. The Serie A side have signed John Stones, Djed Spence and Curtis Jones this summer. Despite being knocked out by Bodo/Glimt last year, they reached the final the season before. United have never lost a competitive match to Inter, with their last two home ties, in 1999 and 2009, both ending 2-0.
Slavia Prague, the Czech champions, host United in what appears the easiest fixture on paper, though a January trip to the Czech capital could be cold. The final simulated match sees Lens visit Old Trafford. Lens lost manager Pierre Sage to Crystal Palace and midfielder Mamadou Sangare to Brentford, but have Thorgan Hazard, Florian Thauvin and Odsonne Edouard, and beat PSG in the French Super Cup final.
Man Utd's predicted Champions League draw in full: PSG (A), RB Leipzig (H), PSV (A), Real Betis (H), Feyenoord (A), Inter Milan (H), Slavia Prague (A), Lens (H).
