Confirmed: Champions League group-stage pots

Wednesday 30 August 2023 22:06

The four pots for Thursday’s Champions League group-stage have now been finalised, meaning we have a clearer picture of who Manchester United can face this season.

The competition’s six qualifying play-offs were concluded on Wednesday evening and, as a result, the remaining list of 32 clubs will now be divided into eight groups.

UEFA’s much-anticipated ceremony at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco will begin at 17:00 BST and you can follow live updates via the United App, as well as reaction via a special episode of The Debate.

Without further ado, let’s assess who Erik ten Hag’s Reds can face…

POT ONE

This will consist of the holders Manchester City, the Europa League winners Sevilla, and six domestic champions in Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Feyenoord, Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain.

Competition rules state that no team can play a side from their own association, meaning a Manchester derby in the Champions League is impossible at this stage.
   
So, who do you want from Pot One? Vote in the poll below…
United
Who do you want to draw from Pot One? Here are our options, in alphabetical order...poll

Who do you want to draw from Pot One? Here are our options, in alphabetical order...

POT TWO

This is where United are placed due to UEFA's coefficient rankings, alongside Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Porto, RB Leipzig and Real Madrid.

There are four clubs in Pot Two who have previously won the Champions League, including us and 14-time victors Los Blancos.

Of course, we will not be drawn against any of our fellow clubs in Pot Two. 

POT THREE

There are some fascinating ties that potentially lie in wait, with AC Milan, Braga, FC Copenhagen, Lazio, PSV, Red Star Belgrade, Salzburg and Shakhtar Donetsk all involved. 

In case you didn't know, Rasmus Hojlund's brothers Emil and Oscar both play for Copenhagen, so there could be a family reunion in the group stage.

Who do you want from Pot Three? Let us know via the poll below.

دوري الأبطال
Who do you want to draw from Pot Three? Listed alphabetically, the possibilities are...poll

Who do you want to draw from Pot Three? Listed alphabetically, the possibilities are...

POT FOUR

The fourth and final list of clubs includes Celtic, Galatasaray, Newcastle United, RC Lens, Real Sociedad, Royal Antwerp, Union Berlin and Young Boys.

Due to Champions League rules, we cannot face Eddie Howe's Magpies at this stage. Let us know who you want via the poll below...

كأس الأبطال
Who do you want to draw from Pot Four? Here's the list in alphabetical order...poll

Who do you want to draw from Pot Four? Here's the list in alphabetical order...

GROUP-STAGE DATES

Matchday 1: 19/20 September
Matchday 2: 3/4 October
Matchday 3: 24/25 October
Matchday 4: 7/8 November
Matchday 5: 28/29 November
Matchday 6: 12/13 December
Which stage of the Champions League will United reach this season? Share your prediction...poll

Which stage of the Champions League will United reach this season? Share your prediction...

KNOCKOUT PHASE DATES

Round of 16: 13/14/20/21 February & 5/6/12/13 March
Quarter-finals: 9/10 & 16/17 April
Semi-finals: 30 April/1 May & 7/8 May
Final: 1 June

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