adminLONDON. — Manchester United have finally learned their Champions League fate.
Louis van Gaal guided the club back into Europe’s elite competition after missing out the previous year.
However, by finishing fourth they will have to go through a play-off. Manchester United could face a Champions League tussle with Arsenal’s slayers Monaco for a place in the main draw.
United side will be seeded for the draw in Nyon on August 7 – but could still face Lazio, Monaco, Sporting Lisbon or CSKA Moscow.
United finished fourth in the Premier League, meaning they have to win through a play-off round to reach the group stages.
But van Gaal’s men won’t have it easy.
United could face Monaco, who beat Arsenal in the last 16 this season, or other unseeded teams including Lazio or Sporting Lisbon.
A meeting with the mega-rich French giants would be particularly intriguing.
Monaco sent Radamel Falcao on a season-long loan to Old Trafford this season.
He flopped and United snubbed the chance to sign him permanently – but now he could show them what they’re missing out on.
Other possible opponents include Brugge, Young Boys, Sparta Prague, Fenerbahce, Rapid Vienna and Panathinaikos. They will avoid Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, Shakhtar Donetsk and Ajax thanks to their high UEFA coeffiecent.
Incredibly, if United qualify for the group stage, they will be in pot two for the first time in 17 years. — AFP.
Online Reporter