More stories

  • in

    Man Utd fans convinced they are ‘CURSED’ after horror Champions League draw as they beg ‘God help Ten Hag’

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans are convinced they are cursed after being handed a horror Champions League draw.The Red Devils will face Galatasaray, Copenhagen and Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich, who are the second favourites to win the tournament.
    Manchester United will come up against Harry KaneCredit: Getty
    Erik ten Hag faces a difficult challenge to win the groupCredit: Getty
    Arsenal and Manchester City have both been handed favourable draws by comparison.
    It is a blow for United who also faced a tricky group the last time they were in the competition in the 2021-22 campaign.
    But they did manage to win that group which consisted of Villarreal, Atalanta and Young Boys, but only thanks to six goals in six games from Cristiano Ronaldo.
    A year prior United were drawn against Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir and finished third, which is why some fans feel they are cursed.
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    One supporter said: “You can’t tell me Manchester United isn’t cursed when it comes to draws.”
    Another added: “United’s #UCL draw couldn’t be much more difficult than that.”
    A third wrote: “Uefa give United a tough draw every year.”
    And another commented: “Man U VS Bayern????? May God help Ten Hag😂”
    Most read in Champions League

    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    Bayern Munich are undefeated in 34 Champions League group stage matches, while Galatasaray will create a hostile atmosphere for the visit of the Red Devils.
    However Ten Hag will be hopeful he can keep Kane quiet as he stopped the striker from scoring in both Premier League matches last season.
    Kane has only scored five goals in 19 games against United, and overcoming Bayern would give Ten Hag’s side a great chance of reaching the knock-out stages. More

  • in

    When will the Champions League group stage fixtures be revealed?

    THERE’S nothing quite like Champions League nights – and fans are itching to find out when the group stage fixtures will be revealed.Manchester United have been paired in a tricky group with European giants Bayern Munich.
    Manchester United have drawn Bayern Munich in Group ACredit: Reuters
    Arsenal will take part in Group B against Sevilla, while holders Manchester City are all set to go up against RB Leipzig once again.
    And Newcastle’s return to European football consists of trips to Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.
    But fans are still yet to know what the actual fixture dates are.
    When will the Champions League fixtures be revealed?
    The Champions League group fixtures will be announced on Friday, September 1 or Saturday, September 2, according to reports.
    Read more on Champions League
    However, the full schedule dates for the competition has been revealed.
    Champions League schedule
    Group Stage

    Matchday 1: Sept. 19/20, 2023 
    Matchday 2: Oct. 3/4, 2023 
    Matchday 3: Oct. 24/25, 2023
    Matchday 4: Nov. 7/8, 2023 
    Matchday 5: Nov. 28/29, 2023 
    Matchday 6: Dec. 12/13, 2023

    Most read in Football
    Knockout Stages

    Round of 16: Feb. 13/14/20/21, 2024 and March 5/6/12/13, 2024 
    Quarterfinals: April 9/10 and 16/17, 2024 
    Semifinals: April 30/May 1, 2024 and May 7/8, 2024 
    Final: June 1, 2024

    What are the groups?
    Newcastle face the toughest group for the English sides in this year’s Champions League competition.
    The Champions League group stage has been announced More

  • in

    Fans confused as they realise who is doing Champions League draw live on TNT Sports

    FANS were left confused as Joe Cole was given the honour of doing the Champions League draw.The former West Ham and Chelsea star took center stage along with ex-Barcelona defender Eric Abidal for the tournament’s draw.
    Joe Cole left fans confused with his appearance during the Champions League drawCredit: TNT sports
    Cole, 41, enjoyed a brilliant career that saw him win three Premier League titles but he never won a Champions League.
    The former England international did get a runners-up medal in 2008 as Chelsea were beaten on penalties by Manchester United.
    He joined Abidal on stage, with the former Barcelona star boosting two triumphs in the competition during his playing days.
    And fans were confused by his inclusion by Uefa as they took to social media.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    One Tweeted: “Joe Cole at the UCL draw!”
    A second commented: “How has Joe Cole managed to get a piece of this.”
    A third wrote: “Joe Cole is one of UEFA’s special guests for the group draw?”
    A fourth said: “Of all the people they could’ve picked to make the Champions League draw, I’m a little bit confused about why they picked Joe Cole.”
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    Another joked: “Of all England “legends” why Joe Cole?”
    While a Chelsea fan declared: “Joe Cole at the UEFA Champions League draw. Rubbing salt into wounds now…”
    The Champions League draw led to some exciting ties as Manchester United face Bayern Munich in Group A while Newcastle face a group of death in Group F.
    The Magpies face Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
    However, some fans claimed that the draw was rigged after Manchester City were drawn against RB Leipzig for a third time. More

  • in

    Eagle-eyed fans spot Champions League draw script as TNT Sports presenter shares behind-the-scenes video

    EAGLE-EYED viewers spotted the Champions League draw script before the ceremony after a behind the scenes snap was shared.Presenter Reshmin Chowdhury gave the fans an insight by posting on her Instagram story.
    Chowdhury posted the script on her instagram story
    Chowdhury hosted this year’s Champions League drawCredit: EPA
    The story shows the stage being set alongside the Champions League trophy and then pans down to a script on the presenter’s iPad.
    Chowdhury captioned the story with “Final rehearsals” alongside a pair of eyes staring emoji.
    The script on the iPad showed instructions for the presenter with what to say between each draw.
    The words on the script read: “Thank you Giorgio. So we now have our first teams in their groups. Lets take a look at the clubs in Pot 2.”
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Those were then the exact words Chowdhury used when the actual draw was held.
    Fans online were quick to heap praise on Reshmin’s dress.
    This evening’s draw threw up some surprises, with a group of death for Newcastle who were drawn alongside PSG, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund in Group F.
    Manchester United also got a slightly tricky draw after being drawn in Group A.
    Most read in Champions League
    They will face-off against former top-striker target Harry Kane when they face Bayern Munich.
    The remaining two teams won’s be straightforward either as they take on Turkish giants Galatasaray and Danish champions Copenhagen.
    Arsenal have been rewarded for their return to the Champions League with an extremely winnable group.
    They’ve been drawn in Group B alongside Sevilla, PSV and Lens.
    Fans will continue to joke about Manchester City getting an easy group, which in fairness was helped by their champions status putting them in pot one.
    They will once again face off against RB Leipzig as well as Red Star Belgrade and Swiss side Young Boys. More

  • in

    Who will Arsenal play in the Champions League group stages? Fixtures and dates revealed

    ARSENAL are back in the Champions League for the first time since the 2016-17 season and have been handed a kind draw.They face a fairly straightforward test in the group stage after being pitted against Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven and Lens.
    Arsenal are ready to challenge for Champions League glory under Mikel ArtetaCredit: Getty
    Mikel Arteta saw his Arsenal players work wonders last season, leading them to an impressive second-place Premier League finish behind Treble winners Manchester City.
    And the Spaniard is unlikely to have his work cut out in the group stage after a favourable draw on Thursday.
    Arsenal’s toughest group test is sure to come against Sevilla, winner of last season’s Europa League.
    The next team Arsenal have to get past is PSV Eindhoven, who finished second in last term’s Eredivisie.
    READ MORE ARSENAL NEWS
    Finally, the Gunners go up against Lens, who have just splashed £30million on former Chelsea target Elye Wahi.
    The competition will kick off after the upcoming international break with matchday one beginning on September the 19th.
    Exact dates for Arsenal’s fixtures have not yet been confirmed.
    Arsenal have started their season in positive fashion.
    Most read in Champions League
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    The group stage draw in full

    After winning their opening two games, they drew with Fulham at the weekend.
    They face their toughest test of the campaign so far when they host fellow Champions League side Manchester United on Sunday. More

  • in

    Who will Man Utd play in the Champions League group stages? Fixtures and dates revealed

    MANCHESTER UNITED have a tricky group after being drawn in Group A.They’ve been drawn alongside Bayern Munich, Galatasaray and Copenhagen.
    United will faceCredit: Getty
    United’s clash with Bayern will see them come face to face with former top striker target Harry Kane in the group stage clash.
    Rasmus Hojlund will come up against former club FC Copenhagen and United will also face a tricky trip to Turkish giants Galatasaray.
    The competition will kick off after the upcoming international break with matchday one beginning on September the 19th.
    United are back in Europe’s biggest competition after failing to qualify for last year’s Champions League.
    READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS
    Their tumultuous 2021/22 season saw them finish sixth under interim manager Ralf Rangnick and only qualify for last year’s Europa League.
    There, they would ultimately crash out to Sevilla in the quarter-finals despite beating LaLiga champions Barcelona on the way to reach the quarters.
    Returning to this year’s Champions League represented a major success for Erik Ten Hag in his first season in charge at United.
    The club comfortably secured their return to Europe’s biggest stage by finishing third in the Premier League.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS

    Ten Hag also brought silverware to United for the first time since Jose Mourinho’s Europa League victory in 2017 with victory in the Carabao Cup.
    United have strengthened their squad since then, adding new goalkeeper Andre Onana, Mason Mount and striker Rasmus Hojlund in the hope of challenging for the biggest honours this season.
    It’s been a mixed start to the season for the Red Devils so far this season, however.
    They emerged with a 1-0 victory in their opening day clash against Wolves despite not being the better side and followed that up with a 2-0 defeat away at Tottenham.
    United returned to winning ways at the weekend with a 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest but even that came after United fell two goals behind in the opening five minutes.
    Ten Hag will be hoping to further bolster his options by the time United play their first Champions League fixture, as a deal for Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat remains in the works.
    The club would also like to add another forward before the end of the window, after Ten Hag initially counted on bringing Mason Greenwood back into the fold. More

  • in

    Who will Newcastle play in the Champions League group stages? Fixtures and dates revealed

    NEWCASTLE UNITED have been drawn in the group of death for this season’s Champions League group stage.It’s a clean-sweep of massive fixtures for the Magpies, with Newcastle drawing PSG, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund.
    Newcastle will take part in this year’s Champions League for the first time since the 2002/03 seasonCredit: Rex
    The draw in full
    Champions League nights at St James’ Park were last seen under Sir Bobby Robson in the 2002/03 season with a team that included the likes of Alan Shearer, Nobby Solano and Gary Speed.
    Back then the competition was split into two group stages, with Newcastle advancing through a group that contained Juventus, Dynamo Kyiv and Feyenoord.
    After that they were drawn in a group of death, like this year, alongside Barcelona, Inter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen and ultimately crashed out during the second group stage.
    Eddie Howe masterminded a return to the Champions League last season with the club finishing fourth in the Premier League.
    READ MORE NEWCASTLE NEWS
    Their qualification came firmly ahead of schedule for the club’s Saudi ownership, who took them over the previous season with the club facing relegation under Steve Bruce.
    Newcastle have been active in the transfer window as they prepare to have a squad capable of managing European and Premier League football.
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS

    Sandro Tonali became the club’s record signing after transferring from AC Milan for £60million.
    The midfielder brings Champions League experience with him after playing in the semi-final against rivals Inter last season.
    Most read in Football
    They have also reinforced by bringing in Leicester winger Harvey Barnes for £38m.
    Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall have also reinforced the squad at full back.
    Despite the high of last season’s top four finish, it’s been a tough start to the season for Newcastle.
    They kicked off the season in impressive style with a thrilling 5-1 demolition of Aston Villa but have since fallen to a 1-0 defeat to champions Manchester City and a late Darwin Nunez double saw them lose 2-1 to Liverpool.
    They’ll be looking to bounce back next time away at Brighton in the Saturday evening kick off. More

  • in

    Champions League draw in full as Man Utd and Newcastle land HORROR groups but Arsenal fans rejoice

    ARSENAL fans are celebrating after finding out their Champions League group fate – while Manchester United and Newcastle have landed horror draws.And the Gunners will not have to wait long to kick off their campaign, with the first group game taking place on the week commencing September 18.
    Bukayo Saka is set to feature in the Champions League for the first timeCredit: Getty
    It is a favourable draw for Arsenal on their return following a six-year absence, with first seeds Sevilla only qualifying for the Champions League because they won the Europa League.
    PSV needed to beat Rangers in a play-off to qualify and RC Lens, who make up the group, have not played in the Champions League since 2002-03.
    Newcastle have faced an even longer wait to return to Europe’s premier competition, having spent 20 years away from the Champions League.
    But they have been handed a nightmare draw in Group F against Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Sandro Tonali’s former team AC Milan.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Manchester United also face a tough task as they go head to head with Copenhagen, Galatasaray and tournament second favourites Bayern Munich, which means a quick return to England for Harry Kane.
    They will be eager to avoid the disappointment of their 2020-21 Champions League group, when the Red Devils finished third.
    Meanwhile defending champions Manchester City have been drawn against RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys in what fans have dubbed another easy group.
    Newcastle have several glamour ties to look forward to on their Champions League return but fans don’t fancy their chances.
    Most read in Champions League

    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    One said: “Group F is the group of death in the #UCLdraw Newcastle will do well to get out of that 😬😬”
    Another added: “Group F is absurd. Please don’t snooze on Newcastle. Battle for 3rd place Europa League will be crazy.”
    While an Arsenal supporter wrote: “Great draw couldn’t have asked for a better group. We should walk this group. Am buzzing for the Champions League nights.”
    Another commented: “Honestly we must come out first in that group.”
    City have also been handed a relatively straightforward group, leading disgruntled fans to claim the draw has been “rigged” in their favour.
    Last year Pep Guardiola’s side faced Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund and Copenhagen and remained undefeated, before later going on to win the tournament.
    In 2020-21 they won five out of six group games up against Porto, Olympiacos and Marseille. More