Manchester United’s start to the season has not been the best but they have done very well in Europe. Despite a rocky start, the Red Devils managed to top their group and will now head into the knockout phase. The overall performances have improved significantly over the past month or so as well following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Since then, the club have not tasted defeat, winning 4 games and drawing 2.
Ralf Rangnick now sits in the managerial hot seat at Old Trafford and is the club’s interim manager till the end of the season, after which he will take a consultancy role.
And while the German has had notable spells at clubs like RB Leipzig and Schalke in the past, this is without doubt the most high profile job of his career till now. Thus, it will be interesting to see how he does. Their performance in the Champions League moving forward is something that everybody will have their eyes on.
Speaking about the knockout phase on the club’s official website, Edinson Cavani said:
"“The best teams in Europe are involved in this competition. I’m not really one who really pays close attention to the draw, so let’s see who we get.“Whichever team that we get to play, the key will be that we trust and believe in ourselves, and in just how strong this team can be, and that we are calm in the knowledge that we can go out onto the pitch, against whoever we draw, with our own identity and personality.”"
Can Manchester United win the Champions League?
With the start that they have made this season, it is safe to say that the Champions League is quite a bit distance away, but the competition’s recent history will certainly give them some hope.
The past two Champions League winners had changed managers in the middle of the campaign only to win Europe’s elite competition by the end of the season.
If Manchester United are to make it three in a row, they have a mountain to climb. But there is no denying the fact that the Red Devils have an excellent squad, which can compete with any team in Europe on their day. Yes, it is unlikely but anything can happen in football, and has in recent seasons.