Champions League: Best and Worst scenario’s for United
Manchester United are going into the Champions League play-off stage for the first time in 10 years having finished the Premier League campaign in fourth place.
A space normally occupied by Arsenal, the Red Devils didn’t quite find their feet against the top sides and scraped the last qualifying spot ahead of arch rivals Liverpool. And with that being the case, the Red Devils are now on course for a tricky two-legged tie to determine if they will advance to the group stages of the Champions League group stages.
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There are ten possible opponents; from all over Europe that have varying degrees of difficulty. By far the worst possible opponents to get in the draw are French side AS Monaco, and Italian outfit Lazio. Also in the mix are Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon and Russia’s Zenit St. Petersburg as well as Rapid Vienna of Austria and Panathinaikos of Greece.
Best Scenario’s
Manchester United are drawn against Rapid Vienna or Panathinaikos. Rapid Vienna are arguably the weakest team in the draw, while Panathinaikos have a bad record against Manchester United so statistically at least, that goes in the English sides favour.
Sparta Prague haven’t played in the group stages of the Champions League since the 2005/06 season so despite previous rich history, recent times have made them a more preferable opponent. Manchester United registered a 4-1 demolition in 2004 thanks to four goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy. Something similar could be seen if they do meet in 2015.
Rapid Vienna are the lowest ranked team in the competition so the other teams are hoping to get Vienna. They are not a pushover by any means however and have a very capable goalscorer in young Slovenian Robert Beric who scored 27 goals in 33 games in their league campaign. Not a bad return by any means.
Anderlecht are also in the draw and could provide a lesser test than some of the other teams, the Belgian side finished third in their league – so could be classed as the most difficult of the easier teams.
Worst Scenario’s
Manchester United are drawn against any of the following: Lazio, Sporting Lisbon, AS Monaco or CSKA Moscow. Being drawn at home in the first leg would probably compound things further – making the away fixture extra difficult if they concede at Old Trafford.
A trip to Moscow is a long one and they are a good side, with imposing goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev and former United midfielder Zoran Tosic also on the team. Tosic only made five appearances so would be fired up to show his former club what they’re missing.
Sporting Lisbon would also provide difficult opponents, even without United man Nani, who has been been on loan to the club from the Red Devils this season. Despite a disappointing season for them, they are still respectable opposition and have a whole host of talent on their roster including Algerian forward Islam Slimani and two-time MLS all-star Fredy Montero.
However, the trip to Italy is probably the least-preferable out of them all, with Lazio also being unseeded despite finishing third. They have a number of dangerous players and the game could see United come up against former youth prospect Ravel Morrison who is now a Lazio player. United supporters have also had trouble in the Italian capital before, so a trip is not ideal for any party involved.
BSC Young-Boys have been impressing in the Europa League in recent years and hope to translate that form to the Champions League, so although probably the easiest of the most difficult, you cannot write them off.
Monaco knocked out Arsenal in the last-16 in this years Champions League so are a dangerous opponent, known for their very defensive style of play. They still possess Radamel Falcao, so if he doesn’t leave it could be an awkward reunion with the Colombian returning to Old Trafford – a possibly quite daunting prospect.
The draw will be made on August 7th. The ties will then be played over August 18/19 and August 25/26 with United and boss Louis van Gaal hoping for an easy tie to see them progress to the group stages of the worlds premier club level competition..
The Dutch boss will hope to have sealed all his transfers by that period, with Memphis Depay hopefully the first of many faces arriving at Old Trafford this summer.