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Champions League Draw: Ronaldo Returns To Old Trafford

by on August 30, 2018

Cristiano Ronaldo will head back to Old Trafford after were drawn in Group H with Italian champions .

Aside from Ronaldo and Juventus providing a difficult challenge, United should face easier rides against and Young Boys, who return to the group stages this year.

However Ronaldo’s reunion can’t be dismissed as the 33-year-old tries to win the Champions League for a fourth year in a row.

The pressure is only increasing on manager Jose Mourinho as United, after a poor start to the Premier League season, face Ronaldo returning to Old Trafford.

The ties against Juventus are going to be marquee occasions, especially because of the match-up between Mourinho and Ronaldo, who joined the Italian club from for £100million in the summer.

Three of the four English teams have received difficult draws. Last season’s finalists also have a tough group to negotiate against , and Red Star Belgrade.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said:

‘ are one of the most exciting teams in the world and I think their target is to win the Champions League, so that will be two interesting matches.

‘We beat Napoli in pre-season but it goes without saying these two games will be completely different challenges.

‘Red Star, I watched them come through in qualifying, and it will be again a very very intense atmosphere. Last season is last season and now we have to do it again.’

Tottenham, who face , PSV Eindhoven and in Group B, look like they will be playing most of their home games at Wembley with their new ground not expected to open until December.

UEFA have warned that Tottenham may have to play at Wembley throughout the tournament. Deputy secretary-general Giorgio Marchetti said:

‘In principle the regulations state that you have to play in a single stadium but we will have to see.’

A spokesman for Inter Milan said:

‘We would probably prefer to play at Wembley because of its history. It would be a nice occasion, but we are happy to play at their new stadium.’

Elsewhere, history beckons for and Pep Guardiola after they were handed the easiest of Champions League draws in .

City, who have made an unbeaten start to the defence of their title, want to make a serious challenge in Europe after underachieving for a number of seasons considering their wealth of talent.

A group involving Shakhtar Donetsk, Lyon and Hoffenheim gives them the best possible chance of progressing to the knockout stages without too much fuss.

It is also an encouraging omen for Guardiola’s European ambitions that they are in Group F, with 40 per cent of Champions League winners — six out of the last 15 — emerging from that group since 2004.

Matchday 1: 18-19 September

Matchday 2: 2-3 October

Matchday 3: 23-24 October

Matchday 4: 6-7 November

Matchday 5: 27-28 November

Matchday 6: 11-12 December

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