Manchester United won’t be thinking too seriously about next season just yet. They have a couple of months in which to focus on bringing in two or three really top talents to help them spearhead a credible campaign on the domestic and European fronts next season.
But once their business is done they will assess their early season Champions League encounter, which is crucial to their whole season.
And, looking at some of the potential opponents, there is a very real prospect that Manchester United might fall at the first hurdle.
Monaco
This would surely be the nightmare draw. Monaco possibly aren’t on quite the same level as Manchester United but, lest we forget, they put Arsenal out of the competition last season and it would represent a really tough tie to draw them so early on the season and the competition.
Lazio
A solid Italian side who are looking to invest again this summer after eight years without Champions League football. The jewel in their crown is possibly the brilliant Felipe Anderson. The 22 year old Brazilian attacking midfielder is exactly the sort of player who can make a crucial intervention in a tight game.
Sporting Lisbon
A technically good quality side who aren’t as powerful as Manchester United. But you wouldn’t completely rule out a shock victory for a side with decent Champions League experience.
CSKA Moscow
Another technically proficient side who have performed constantly well in their domestic league. These sorts of fixtures have become something of a cliche for a good reason – and Manchester United won’t want to travel so far, so early in the season to play in a cauldron of an atmosphere out east.
