Isn't it great to be back in the Champions League?

Can7onA

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Not so much for my wife, I spent the day walking round the house going "The Cham Pyooooooooons Duh Duh Duh Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuh"
 

Mo Caine

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Haven't had to look at a single Europa League game or scope opponents from Dinamo Whereisthat this season, which is a blessing in itself. But on top of that, facing these big name players and coaches and having ambition to get further into the competition rather than it being a perfunctory chore that these stages of the EL are, has really lifted the mood for both players and fans alike. It's also fantastic for our players to carve out true names and reputations for themselves by matching up, and proving their worth, against the highest calibre of opponents.

I never really got the posts on here that were along the lines of if we can't win the competition there's no point being in it - the buzz of these games is still the biggest there is whilst we're not challenging for the title; where every game carries massive pressure and importance in themselves.

Also, make no mistake - these nights, these performances are what will make the highest profile of player want to join the club and be part of such experiences.

With our ability on the counter, and the format of the competition, we're not a team many will want to face; after seeing us destroy Leipzig the moment they lost their heads, there won't be an array of teams willing to try and match us with high lines and intense pressing further up the pitch. The reputation we have carved out over just two games will stand us in great stead further into the competition.

I wonder how many of you can hand on heart say you looked forward to anything other than the semi-final and final stages of the Europa League, contrasted to the curiosity you have now for our every game in the Champions League. I'd also ask, now that there's a taste for this level of football, how many of you won't want us to be a perennial fixture?

Long live our Champions League exploits, and let us hope the Europe League doesn't darken our doorstep again!
for me, it is again another indicator of how far we've fallen, to quote you ''i wonder how many of you hand on heart say you look forward to anything other than the semi final and final stages of the Europa League, contrasted to the curiosity you have now for our every game in the Champions League'' i recall many of us being tired of the CL group stages as many of the teams were so inferior it got boring, but we are, excited to be in the mix.

looking forward to this thread being bumped around April when Thursday/Sunday is once again looking more than likely.
 

Tom Cato

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Nothing like the Champions League hymn to get the hairs rising
 

RUCK4444

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When that music kicks in as the players line up... nothing better.

With McFred as our solid base and our forward options we are an opponent many won’t want to draw. Really hope we can go far in the competition.

Nothing like a CL night. I’m still buzzing after the last game.
 

Offside

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United suit it more. We were better than PSG last week and spanked Leipzig but we make Brighton and Palace look amazing.
 

TwoSheds

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Also, love the league games but it's no match to the buzz of a CL night.
Yeah agreed. I don't really miss the crowd in the league games but it would be so amazing to have some supporters in the CL.
 

jackal&hyde

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That Rashford 2nd goal against Leipzig sums it all up. The ruthlessness, style and arrogance.

Smash it to the left bottom corner, we're so excited.
It feels amazing. I haven't been so exited about the team since SAF. Bewildering there are still people doubting Ole but hopefully by the end of the season most people will back the team moving in the right direction.
 

RedSky

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I loved the Champions League as a kid back in the late 90s, its my favourite competition, its just such a pity theres no crowds right now as its always special at Old Trafford on a CL evening. :drool:
 

Giggzy P

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This is some symphony that. Its really is Great to hear it again, even better with the results and performances we have had so far, I am starting to think we can even win it.

Besides Bayern Munich, we look like we can beat any team on our day, copy our European form in the Premier League, and we could have a great season on our hands, and would gladly take the humble pie that comes with me being a Solout (Solskjaer out, I know clever).
 

Green_Red

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Looking forward to the knockout stages now. Hopefully we get a couple of games against some top sides.
 
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Paula

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Oh man its just so much fun to see United play CL football!
Its just the moment you wait for a whole year to see United face Bayern
Just imagin the hype from the date the draw was till the first game! Thats what football is about isnt it? :D
 

GazTheLegend

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I honestly love the Europa League.

People complain but the atmosphere the Marseille fans brought to Manchester along with so many teams was such a breath of fresh air. The champions League was becoming a procession for Barcelona plus Messi, Madrid plus Ronaldo and Bayern plus Robben and Lewa.

It's only now that Ronaldo and Messi have dropped off that my interest has come back to be honest :lol:
 

Lay

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Yeah it’s great. It’s also why I wanted a tough group. Nothing beats playing and beating good opposition in the CL
 

Lay

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I honestly love the Europa League.

People complain but the atmosphere the Marseille fans brought to Manchester along with so many teams was such a breath of fresh air. The champions League was becoming a procession for Barcelona plus Messi, Madrid plus Ronaldo and Bayern plus Robben and Lewa.

It's only now that Ronaldo and Messi have dropped off that my interest has come back to be honest :lol:
I also agree with this. The one legged format got me interested in the CL again. I thought it was a lame affair for the past few years.
 

Maciej

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It's great, but imagine how beautiful it's going to be when fans are allowed.

I've already forgotten those games and that atmosphere.
 

jackal&hyde

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Who do we get in over from Spurs City Pool and Chelsea?
I do believe we'll get above Everton.
Why would you put Spurs there? Rating Spurs based on these few games is like writing off United. They had a decent pre season so it's normal they looked decent, just like Everton. Normal service is resumed now once we get our fitness and match sharpness.
 

TrustInJanuzaj

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Who do we get in over from Spurs City Pool and Chelsea?
I do believe we'll get above Everton.
Spurs won't be anywhere near, they are bang average with a poor manager to boot and when Kane/Son has their inevitable injury they will drop like a stone.

Chelsea I think are also pretty average and I think it will be proved that Ole is a far better manager than Lampard over time. I have long maintained that signing so many players rarely works out and I don't see them as hugely improved on last year but they should get 4th spot again.

City and Liverpool are clearly the main competition but I think they also have massive weaknesses that can be exploited. I predicted that Utd would finish 2nd this season and I stand by that from what I've seen last season and so far in this one. Our first 11 is as good as anyone in the league and we have really addressed the squad weaknesses that plagued us last year. Who knows if we win our next two I think people will put us down as dark horses for the league.
 

tomaldinho1

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It really does make all the difference. You can see why CL football factors into players decisions on moving clubs because there is nothing else like it - real shame there was no crowd at OT to witness Rashford's hattrick for example, atmosphere would have been insane
 

stu_1992

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Would be even better if we could attend games, but this will certainly do for now. I'm enjoying it a lot so far.
We've just looked so "on it" whole playing. Even when reaching the semis of the Europa last year or even winning it a few years back, we looked somewhat unconvincing and not all that bothered. That had been one of the most satisfying aspects for me.
 
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I like the europa league. Annoys me how it's perceived in England. Yeah it's not as good as the champions league but I'd sooner win it than the fa Cup or league Cup. Annoys me that we threw away winning it last season through running the same 11 players into the ground, think ole has learned from his lack of rotation which is what we are seeing this season.

But yes it is nice to be back, helps that we have put in two amazing performances so far as well. Need to replicate that in thr league now.
would much prefer to win the FA Cup that the EL. The EL doesn’t have any prestige. It’s not helped by the size of the CL, and the fact that you don’t qualify from the group stages but then get dumped into the EL further makes it a second rate competition.

the only thing going for it is the CL place for the winners.
 

pacifictheme

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would much prefer to win the FA Cup that the EL. The EL doesn’t have any prestige. It’s not helped by the size of the CL, and the fact that you don’t qualify from the group stages but then get dumped into the EL further makes it a second rate competition.

the only thing going for it is the CL place for the winners.
In 2020, for anyone reasonably young (under 40) the fa Cup has very little prestige these days too.
 

Jibbs

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Not jinxing at all but we actually have a very good chance of winning it this season.
 

Cloud7

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Best competition in club football. There’s nothing quite like it for me
 

GenZRed

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Too right it is. Would be better with the fans. The atmosphere of these games is brilliant.
 

Posh Red

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for me, it is again another indicator of how far we've fallen, to quote you ''i wonder how many of you hand on heart say you look forward to anything other than the semi final and final stages of the Europa League, contrasted to the curiosity you have now for our every game in the Champions League'' i recall many of us being tired of the CL group stages as many of the teams were so inferior it got boring, but we are, excited to be in the mix.

looking forward to this thread being bumped around April when Thursday/Sunday is once again looking more than likely.
Why would you look forward to that :lol:
 

GenZRed

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In 2020, for anyone reasonably young (under 40) the fa Cup has very little prestige these days too.

I'm in my mid-20s yet I care quiet a bit about the FA Cup. That could be because the first season I started following Man United was the season we won the FA Cup, so it may hold a place in my football memory.
 

Grande

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I was worried about the first two group games, but I'm enjoying it now :D
I hated that draw: Finalists out to revenge both the loss of the recent final and with a personal axe to grind. The perhaps greatest underdog who is persistently performing in Europe and Bundesliga with much to prove and whose high press machinery should challenge our weaknesses to the max. And we (almost) always struggle with Turkish teams.

But I love it so far, and for me who grew up with the European Cup as an anciant lore and a far fetched dream, every CL game brings a certain buzz. I feel for you young spoilt bratz who don’t :angel:


Not jinxing at all but we actually have a very good chance of winning it this season.
And then there’s overdoing it.
 

VorZakone

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It's great. And the team can go toe-to-toe with anybody.
 
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I hated that draw: Finalists out to revenge both the loss of the recent final and with a personal axe to grind. The perhaps greatest underdog who is persistently performing in Europe and Bundesliga with much to prove and whose high press machinery should challenge our weaknesses to the max. And we (almost) always struggle with Turkish teams.

But I love it so far, and for me who grew up with the European Cup as an anciant lore and a far fetched dream, every CL game brings a certain buzz. I feel for you young spoilt bratz who don’t :angel:
Yes, it's a tough group. Two wins against two good sides puts us in a great position