Man United's Champions League campaign gets underway this week - here's everything you need to know and a chance to win match tickets
Man United are back in the Champions League this season
Man United are back in the Champions League this season
Manchester United are gearing up for another run at European football’s ultimate prize, with the long road to Madrid set to begin under Michael Carrick.
The Red Devils have plenty to prove this time around after spending nearly three years away from Europe’s top table, having last featured back in December 2023. Following a long period out of the spotlight, United return eager to shake off their recent tag as European makeweights and set the record straight on the big stage.
Now testing their mettle back among the elite, Carrick leads an ambitious squad that feels it has a point to prove in Europe, with bet365 currently placing them at 16/1 to go all the way this season and 9/1 to reach the final.
Premier League clubs as a whole remain highly fancied to bring the trophy home, with England leading the 'Nationality of Winner' market at 6/4, ahead of Spain, France, and Germany.
The view from our reporter, Tyrone Marshall
Manchester United’s last Champions League appearance came back in December 2023, and being absent from Europe’s top table for nearly three years is something that should be unthinkable for a club of this size. Returning to the competition has been a long time coming, but the real test now is leaving a genuine mark.
In recent campaigns, United have drifted into being mere makeweights—by the time the action truly heats up in the spring, their involvement has usually been long forgotten.
The challenge is to leave a mark on the competition, because in recent years United have been makeweights in the Champions League and when the action really heats up in the spring, their presence has long been forgotten. To put it in some sort of context, the brilliant Bruno Fernandes has played one Champions League knockout tie in six-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford. A player of his talents deserves this stage.
United have a tricky draw and might have to accept a spot in the play-off round. To make the Champions League a success this season, they have to get through that at least. The quarter-finals would be a good achievement. How they fare will depend a great deal on how Michael Carrick juggles his resources. His success last season was built on playing once a week. A return to Europe brings a very different coaching challenge.
I think the quarter-finals would be a very good achievement and probably an overachievement. The last-16 has to be the minimum aim this season but with a little fortune they can go a step further.
As for the ultimate winner, Paris Saint-Germain remain the team to beat once again. Their incredible squad depth combined with a domestic league that allows them to rotate key players means they can arrive fully fresh for the knockout stages in the spring.
Man United Champions League fixtures
Thursday, September 10 – Sabah FK (H)
Tuesday, October 13 – Atlético Madrid (A)
Wednesday, October 21 – Como 1907 (A)
Tuesday, November 3 – AS Roma (H)
Wednesday, November 25 – Sporting CP (A)
Tuesday, December 8 – RB Leipzig (H)
Wednesday, January 20 – FC Bayern Munich (H)
Wednesday, January 27 – Villarreal CF (A)
Win tickets to a Champions League match
bet365 are giving fans the opportunity to win two tickets to a Champions League match throughout the tournament, as part of their big ticket giveaway for the 2026/27 season.
Apply for your UEFA Champions League Tickets Here – T&Cs Apply
Champions League odds from bet365
To Win Outright – PSG 5/1, Arsenal 6/1, Barcelona 6/1, Bayern Munich 6/1, Real Madrid 13/2, Man City 9/1, Liverpool 12/1, Man United 20/1, Inter Milan 28/1, Aston Villa 40/1
Top Goalscorer – Erling Haaland 8/1, Alexander Isak 20/1, Kai Havertz 25/1, Viktor Gyokeres 33/1, Marcus Rashford 40/1
To Reach Final – PSG 3/1, Arsenal 10/3, Barcelona 10/3, Bayern Munich 7/2, Real Madrid 7/2, Man City 9/2, Liverpool 5/1, Man United 9/1, Inter Milan 12/1, Atletico Madrid 14/1, Aston Villa 18/1
Top 8 Finish in League Stage – Arsenal 8/15, Liverpool 4/6, Man City 5/6, Man United 13/8, Aston Villa 11/4
To Finish 9-24 in League Stage – Aston Villa 8/13, Man United 8/13, Man City 1/1, Liverpool 6/5, Arsenal 6/4
Nationality of Winner – England 6/4, Spain 2/1, France 4/1, Germany 5/1, Italy 10/1, Any Other Nation 14/1
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