Man Utd Champions League Draw

zocoss SG

GROUP F

MAN UNITED
Celtic
Benfica
FC Copenhagen

United have been drawn against Celtic, Benfica and FC Copenhagen in the Champions League group stages.

The Group F clashes between United and Celtic will be the first competitive matches between the pair.

There have been numerous friendlies down the years both at Old Trafford and Parkhead, the most recent of which took place in Manchester in May for Roy Keane's testimonial match.

The Reds will be looking to gain revenge on Benfica after they knocked United out of the competition last season.

The Portuguese side's 2-1 win at The Stadium of Light last December also resulted in United finishing bottom of the group and in turn missing out on a UEFA Cup place. United overcame Benfica 2-1 in the match at Old Trafford thanks to a late goal from Ruud van Nistelrooy.

FC Copenhagen will be making their Champions League debut after overcoming Ajax in the qualifying round. They are only the third Danish team to reach the group stages since it was introduced during the 92/93 season - Aalborg BK and Brondby IF are the others.

United's last trip to Copenhagen came during the 98/99 Treble-winning season when they travelled to Denmark to face Brondby.

The match itself took place at FC Copenhagen's Parken Stadium and ended in a 6-2 victory for United thanks to goals from Andy Cole, Roy Keane, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Dwight Yorke and two from Ryan Giggs.

Pitot SG

Benfica here we come. Twisted Evil

zocoss SG

Stage Schedule

Matchday 1: 12/13 Sept 2006

Matchday 2: 26/27 Sept 2006

Matchday 3: 17/18 Oct 2006

Matchday 4: 31 Oct/1 Nov 2006

Matchday 5: 21/22 Nov 2006

Matchday 6: 05/06 Dec 2006

First knockout round, 1st leg: 20/21 Feb 2007

First knockout round, 2nd leg: 06/07 March 2007

Quarter-finals, 1st leg: 03/04 April 2007

Quarter-finals, 2nd leg: 10/11 April 2007

Semi-finals, 1st leg: 24/25 April 2007

Semi-finals, 2nd leg: 01/02 May 2007

Final (Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece) 23 May 2007

lpx88 SG

Unles im mistaken if Man U get to the 2nd round they might play Lyon?Aka dark horses?Or Real Madrid?Mr Beckham and Van Nistelrooy reunion time? Laughing

imprezaWRXSTi22B SG

thats like, a big IF. remember last season??

CKeer SG

I was worried that United might let their guard off again, taking their opponents lightly. Remember Porto and Benfica?
Let's hope nothing i mention is unfolding as the season goes.

Cheers.
C.K

Dead_Man_Inc SG

benefica is good in their set piece

Dead_Man_Inc SG

Strachan: I'd rather face Barca

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan would rather have been drawn against Barcelona or Real Madrid than United in Champions League Group F admitting he is sick of the sight of Sir Alex Fergusons men.

The Reds have face Celtic twice since May beating the Hoops 1-0 in Roy Keanes testimonial at Old Trafford, and 3-0 at Celtic Park in pre-season.

United face Celtic first at Old Trafford on Wednesday 13 September at Old Trafford, a trip Strachan is not looking forward to, especially after the Reds impressive start to the 2006/07 Premiership campaign.

"United are on fire and they're the outstanding favourites [to go through], he said. I'd rather have had Real Madrid or Barcelona because I've never encountered them before as a manager.

"To be honest, I'm fed up with the sight of Man United, he added. We've met them twice in the last four months and I'd say they're the outstanding favourites for the second phase, while FC Copenhagen, Benfica and ourselves battle it out for second place."

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BB4CEE8FA%2D9A47%2D47BC%2DB069%2D3F7A2F35DB70%7D&newsid=357763

zocoss SG

Man u may have some problems in the league... Cos normally they will rest players for their league matches before the CL games and looking at the schedule that came out last night, Out of their 6 league matches before their CL match only have 1 at home 5 away...

Liverpool and Chelsea play 3 away and 3 at home... Arsenal even better, all 6 matches before their CL games are at home.

F.raon.I.R SG

united usually cruise thru champs league gp stages be4 last season....that was a shocker....
so i expect them to cruise thru this time round

zocoss SG

Yeah but it normally effect their league games too cos they will rest some key players and end up drawing or lose a league match. Rolling Eyes

iceFatboy SG

to me, the main focus should be the EPL title and then the UCL.

We do have a not so tough group compared to Chelsea.
And given we have so many players coming back like Heinz, Vidic, Smith, we should be ready...

however, I still wish for MUFC to win the EPL title.

zocoss SG

Well true but its the CL that brings in the big money… Not just for the club but also for the city of Manchester if they can make it further…

Dead_Man_Inc SG

i’m scared man utd will be knock out like last season..

iceFatboy SG

I don't think so..

I believe we won't lose against FC Co.
And most likely, beat Celtic and draw one. same with Benifca.

so that will give MUFC 3+3+3+1+3+1 = 14.

enough?

Dead_Man_Inc SG

maybe Laughing

givemeluck SG

what i hope for in this table …....... manutd thrash benfica

Dead_Man_Inc SG

hope so Mr. Green