Man United to face Bruges in Champions League playoffs

United are at home in the first leg, which will be held on August 17/18, with the away tie taking place the following week. “Hopefully we’ll win some trophies”.

“We need to prepare in the best possible way for this tie in order to be competitive”. The Champions draw also presents a potential cracker of a game as Celtic will take on Malmo to progress to the next round.

The draw hall at UEFA headquarters in Nyon was the stage for the ceremony of the Champions League Play-off Round draw, and steady hands of Gianni Infantino and Giorgio Marchetti drew out some really good ties.

“We are very confident that our coach’s pressing style will see us do well in the competition”. Monaco knocked Arsenal out of the Champions League at the round of 16 stage last season, before being eliminated in the quarterfinals by finalists Juventus.

The three-time champion United is seeking to build on a season where manager Louis van Gaal – who guided Ajax to Champions League glory in 1995 – steadied the ship following a turbulent campaign under David Moyes.

Brugge finished top of the Belgian league last season but were second in the title play-offs, reports Efe.

United forward Adnan Januzaj and midfielder Marouane Feilaini are both Belgium internationals. Things are definitely looking like they’re on the upswing for the English giants, but any of AS Monaco, Lazio, or CSKA Moscow could give them one hell of a fight in the unseeded portion of the league route draw.

Former European champions Celtic will play Swedish counterparts Malmo, with the first leg in Glasgow, as they attempt to make up for last season’s disappointing playoff round defeat against Maribor.