Manchester United’s Champions League opponents are confirmed, and there is a story to follow in each one.
The stage is set for Michael Carrick and his men to face their eight games, with two teams coming from each pot in the league phase.
The teams drawn are – Bayern (H), Atletico (A), Roma (H), Sporting (A), Leipzig (H), Villarreal (A), Sabah (H), and Como (A).
Here is the story you need to follow in each game, as it promises to be quite a memorable campaign for Man Utd.
Atletico Madrid (A) – Carrick’s tactical challenge
Of all the marquee teams in Pot 1 who played expansive football, United ended up getting the one team who like to play down and dirty.
Carrick’s side face issues when they have more possession, and Diego Simeone’s men relish the role of fighting from underneath.
On paper, avoiding the likes of Barcelona, PSG, and Real Madrid is good, but Atletico’s challenge is not replicated by any other team in Pot 1.
Bayern Munich (H) – Ghost of Man Utd’s transfers past
Bayern Munich at Old Trafford is undoubtedly the showpiece fixture of this draw, and the stories within this game are plenty.
The common theme among those stories is that Bayern are full of superstars who United will see and regret not seeing in their club colours.
From Harry Kane to Michael Olise, United had their eye on so many players before they joined Bayern, who are world-class now.
Having failed to buy them, Carrick will be forced to contend with, and contain, the ghosts of Man Utd’s iffy transfer past.
AS Roma (H) – The 7-1 history
Michael Carrick has quite a history with two of the teams drawn against Utd, with Roma having a particularly sweet history.
He was a part of the senior side when they tore apart Roma 7-1 at Old Trafford, scoring a rare brace to set a then-record-breaking victory.
It is the first time since that game that Roma return to Old Trafford, and Carrick is the Man Utd manager now. What he would give to run it back as a manager this time!
Sporting (A) – Bruno Fernandes returns to familiar grounds
Carrick is not the only one facing familiar foes, as Bruno Fernandes returns to Sporting for the first time since he joined the club in 2020.
He has a special place for Sporting in his heart, and he will be determined to put on a good show against the team that allowed him to showcase his talents.
The link between Sporting and Man Utd is special, and for Fernandes, this will be the game he looks forward to the most.
Leipzig (H) – Benjamin Sesko factor and Vivell’s playing ground
Benjamin Sesko continues the theme of reunions with a home game against the team that sold him to Man Utd last summer.
Leipzig are an interesting opponent, because United will be watching them closely for any potential transfer targets in the future as well.
It’s where Sesko made his name, and also the network where Christopher Vivell’s talent ID made him such a coveted man. If one or two of Vivell’s signings help topple Leipzig, particularly Sesko, then he will feel very vindicated.
Villarreal (A) – Carrick’s interim run, run it back
After running back his greatest hit as a player vs Roma, now as a manager, he will also get a chance to run it back as a manager.
Carrick’s short-lived interim run as Man Utd manager during the 2020/21 season saw him take on a daunting game away at Villarreal.
The unbeatable aura around him was intact as he did what Man Utd rarely do, which is beat a Spanish team away from home.
Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo scored that day, so that’s a different era, but Carrick is somewhat of a Spanish specialist!
Sabah (H) – An academy showcase like Astana on the cards?
With all due respect to Sabah, United should be beating the team from Azerbaijan comfortably at Old Trafford.
The upset potential of this game came from its away nature, so with that taken away, this could be a chance for Carrick to give some youngsters a memory of a lifetime.
Ideally, United want to seal top-eight qualification by the time this fixture comes around, which could make this a very interesting game.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer famously played a full academy XI against Astana in the Europa League group stage when qualification was secured, and Carrick can repeat that feat here.
Como (A) – Battle of Premier League maestros, but as managers
Como are the most scenic fixture for Man Utd, but the biggest story begins on the touchline.
Michael Carrick will take on Cesc Fabregas on the touchline, which is a statement that will make many people feel very old.
Fabregas has worked miracles at Como, and was even a contender for the job at one point, but what Carrick has achieved in quick time at United is nothing to write off either.
Como vs Man Utd is the perfect game for the tactical buffs as two of the most intelligent midfielders in their playing days will face off with their wits instead.
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