Manchester United have a more pivotal start to the season than most.
As other clubs warm up with a few Premier League fixtures, Manchester United also have the seminal task of getting through the Champions League qualifying round.
Their opponents will be revealed on Friday after the second leg of the third qualifying round which takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
And there are some seriously tough potential challenges out there.
Due to their seeding, Manchester United can’t face Shaktar Donetsk or Ajax, regardless of results this week.
And Valencia and Bayer Leverkusen are also seeded and won’t be drawn against Manchester United.
But Sporting Lisbon and Lazio could meet United if Shaktar and Ajax get through their qualifying matches.
So too could Monaco as well as RvP and Nani’s new team, Fenerbahce.
So there are some horrible potential ties in a qualifying round which has, in the past, been a stroll in the park.
The draw is on Friday at 11:00 BST and the two legged qualifying fixtures for Manchester United will take place on 18/19 August and the return leg on 25/26 August.
The draw for The Champions League proper takes place a day after the final qualifying game on 27th August.
