Manchester United’s opponents for UEFA Champions League Group Stage revealed

Manchester United’s group has been set for the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League campaign, including a reunion of sorts. Villarreal, the 2021 UEFA Europa League winners, were drawn as the Pot 1 team paired with United, setting up a rematch of the Final which ended on penalties last May.

United and Villarreal are joined by Italian club Atalanta and Swiss side BSC Young Boys to round out Group F. While it doesn’t quite match the ferocity of United’s group last season with PSG and RB Leipzig, this group presents it’s own interesting challenges. United have been unable to beat Villarreal in several tries in European competition, and Atalanta have become a scary opponent in recent seasons. The Reds met up with BSC Young Boys in their 2018/19 UEFA Champions League group, dispatching them handily in the away fixture while struggling to a late 1-0 win and Jose Mourinho water bottle celebration-inspiring win.

The expectations are to reach the last 16 this season, after missing out on a final day defeat to RB Leipzig last year, and this group should present a more manageable challenge. That doesn’t mean that Solskjaer and company should underestimate their opposition, they definitely can’t afford another loss like the one to Istanbul.