Reviewing Manchester United’s potential opponents in Champions League playoff
Manchester United will learn who they will take on in the Champions League play-off round on Friday. Here, Press Association Sport looks at the five opponents United could face. Team: Club Brugge (Belgium) Domestic finish: Second in Belgian league Best performance in Champions League: Runner-up 1977/78 Route to play-off: Beat […]
Manchester United will learn who they will take on in the Champions League play-off round on Friday.
Here, Press Association Sport looks at the five opponents United could face.
Team: Club Brugge (Belgium)
Domestic finish: Second in Belgian league
Best performance in Champions League: Runner-up 1977/78
Route to play-off: Beat Panathinaikos 4-2 on aggregate in third qualifying round
Manager: Michel Preud’homme
Danger man: Obbi Oulare – 19-year-old striker reportedly scouted by United last season. Scored final goal in this week’s 3-0 win over Pana.
Verdict: Probably the most favourable draw for United even though the aggregate win over Panathinaikos should not be sniffed at.
Team: CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Domestic finish: Runners-up in Russian league
Best performance in Champions League: Quarter-finals 2009/10)
Route to play-off: Beat Sparta Prague 5-4 on aggregate in third qualifying round
Manager: Leonid Slutsky
Danger man: Alan Dzagoev – a dangerous midfielder who has put the horrors of a massacre in his hometown of Beslan behind him to go on and become a star in Russia.
Verdict: Not the most dangerous of opponents, but United will be looking to avoid a long flight to Russia.
Team: Lazio (Italy)
Domestic finish: Third in Italian league
Best performance in Champions League: Quarter-finals 99/00
Route to play-off: Direct entry
Manager: Stefano Pioli
Danger man: Ravel Morrison – the former Manchester United youth product scored four goals in his first two games for Lazio in pre-season, but he is a doubt with an ankle problem.
Verdict: Another one United will be looking to avoid. Lazio may not be the force they once were, but the club – and their passionate fans – will be desperate to make the group stages after an eight-year absence from the competition.
Team: Monaco (France)
Domestic finish: Third in French league
Best performance in Champions League: Runners-up 2003/04
Route to play-off: Beat Young Boys 7-1 on aggregate in third qualifying round
Manager: Leonardo Jardim
Danger man: Stephan El Shaarawy – Swapped AC Milan for Monaco this summer. Scored a stunning solo effort on his home debut in the 4-0 win over Young Boys.
Verdict: Probably the most dangerous opponents in the draw. Monaco knocked Arsenal out last year en route to the quarter-finals and have an array of talent among their ranks.
Team: Rapid Vienna (Austria)
Domestic finish: Second in Austrian league
Best performance in Champions League: Semi-finalists 1960/61
Route to play-off: Beat Ajax 5-4 on aggregate in third qualifying round
Manager: Zoran Barisic
Danger man: Louis Schaub – 20-year-old attacking midfielder who scored twice in the shock 3-2 win over Ajax.
Verdict: Definitely the team United will be hoping to draw. Squad lacks experience and depth.
