Yesterday, the Champions League draw took place in Monaco and it hasn't been kinder to the British clubs - except Chelsea! Manchester United will have to face some tough teams to qualify for the knock out stages.
United have been drawn in Group A along with Shakhtar Donetsk, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Sociedad. In his first season at Old Trafford, and his first in the Champions League group stages, David Moyes will be looking to qualify the group in confident style.
At this point, I do believe United will make through the knock-out stages but with some drama. Obviously, Moyes will need time to manage his squad to challenge on two fronts but with every United player having Champions League experience, I think we should be safe.
The dates for matches of group stages are:
Matchday one - September 17-18
Matchday two - October 1-2
Matchday three - October 22-23
Matchday four - November 5-6
Matchday five - November 26-27
Matchday six - December 10-11
Manchester United completed a record equalling 19th Champions League game unbeaten run to secure top spot in Group E. Carlos Tevez's fifth goal in a week after just three minutes seemed to set the Red Devils up for a comfortable win - and what would have been only the holders third in Europe so far. But an unexpected first-half response from the visitors left United trailing at the interval.
Although Wayne Rooney leveled soon after the second half begun; the hosts could not find a winner. There were 9 changes in the side that played against Sunderland last week. The best change being the pairing of Tevez alongside Rooney. After scoring 4 goals against Blackburn, Tevez is a man on a mission. He has been producing some stellar performances to put pressure on the United boss to give him chance in the starting eleven.
Man Utd will now travel to Japan for playing the Club World Cup and during this time the last-16 draw would be made that could pair them with, among others, Real Madrid and Inter Milan. So it would be great to watch who is paired against the holders. I am sure UEFA would make sure they give United a tough draw as they dont want to see United retaining the trophy. But who cares! Pitch any team against us and we would be victorious.
As the title holders, United will be looking to see off Aalborg in the final group game of the Champions league tonight. United currently top the group, on goal difference with Villarreal earning same points as United. The teams in this group are pretty clear about their positions after tonights matches. United and Villarreal are moving to the last 16, Aalborg are competing in UEFA cup and Celtic is retuning home empty handed.
United will entertain Allan Kuhn's side who have been unbeaten in the his 12-match stint. The home team will surely miss Cristiano Ronaldo who is recovering from a hip injury in Saturday's win over Sunderland. Michael Carrick is also out with a thigh injury. This means Sir Alex will surely change his side a bit.
Probably, Gary Neville and Ben Foster are set to start while Paul Scholes is expected to be on the bench. Carlos Tevez and Darren Fletcher may also be seen. Without doubt, United will be playing to win the group which will guarantee them a chance to play the second leg at home against the team in the last 16.
Ryan Giggs used his head to claim a deserved 1-1 draw against Celtic in their clash at Parkhead. When Scott McDonald lit up the Parkhead sky with a fantastic goal after 13 minutes,lifting the ball over Ben Foster, stunned United. But the persistent attacking football from the Red Devils ensured a point to remain in control of Group E.
United made an explosive start with Ronaldo seeing a shot blocked by a mass of players after the ball broke kindly to him inside the area following a corner. The Portuguese winger then saw a 25-yard free-kick fizz just over Artur Boruc's crossbar. But the 13th-minute goal, coupled with some tireless defending, looked to have earned a victory for Celtic. Until Giggs struck six minutes from time, after Artur Boruc had failed to hold a Cristiano Ronaldo thunderbolt. A stooping header from Giggs rescued a hard-earned point in this Battle of Britain contest.
Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that he want to progress in the next stage by winning the group. And he has every chance of doing it when United travel to Spain to face Villarreal in three weeks. BUt right now he is more focussed on Saturday's showdown with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Not even the return of Cristiano Ronaldo could prevent Manchester United from a disappointing 0-0 draw against Villarreal at Old Trafford. Ronaldo's second-half introduction certainly sent a surge through United, with fans giving him a warm welcome. But unfortunately, that was not enough for the European champions as their unbeaten 12 game streak on home soil in the competition came to an end.
European champions Manchester United kick start their Champions league campaign against Spanish outfit Villarreal. Theses two sides had faced each other in the 2005-06 tournament, with both games yielding neutral results.
Man U will get a boost as their star player Cristiano Ronaldo makes his eagerly-awaited comeback from injury at Old Trafford tonight. Ferguson has nothing but praise for the dedication Ronaldo has shown towards his recovery from ankle surgery. His return is well-timed as Michael Carrick could be out for six weeks with a broken foot, Paul Scholes is suspended tomorrow and Dimitar Berbatov a major doubt after suffering a bang on the knee in Saturday's defeat at Liverpool.
Also Villarreal are facing problems upfront as their first-choice strikers Nihat Kahveci and former United striker Guiseppe Rossi are still sidelined. However, former Arsenal winger Robert Pires has regained fitness and could feature in today’s game.
Way to capture Europe again, United!
