Paddy Crerand can't wait for the Champions League to get started
With less than a week to go until Manchester United begin our UEFA Champions League campaign for the 2021/22 season, club legend Paddy Crerand has given his thoughts on the competition and the group stage draw.
The Reds were drawn against Villarreal (Spain), Atalanta (Italy) and Young Boys (Switzerland) in Group F of this year’s Champions League, with our first game to be played away from home in Bern.
That fixture kicks off next Tuesday evening.
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Paddy, who helped United to European Cup glory in 1968 with his tenacious performances from midfield, has seen campaigns good and bad on the continent, and is excited about this year’s.
“It’s such a fantastic tournament,” he said.
“On Champions League nights at Old Trafford, you see fanaticism. Those nights are madness, and it’s always been like that for European Cup games; there’s something special about them.
“For some fans, I’m sure the European Cup is more important than the World Cup.
“As for our group, you’re always going to have problems with teams from Italy but I’m just looking forward to the occasions at Old Trafford with fans back.”
The 82-year-old, like every United supporter, is just thrilled to be going back to games at the Theatre of Dreams.
While our first Champions League game is to be played away from home, those special nights under the lights will be back later in September when we host Villarreal on 29 September.
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You can read more of Paddy’s thoughts, including on the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, in our much-beloved matchday programme, United Review.
To get it in time for this Saturday’s game against Newcastle United, order here.