Did it really have to come to this? Why should a quasi military operation be required for a highly anticipated European Champions League cup tie at Old Trafford? Stringent security measures will be put in place for Rangers fans travelling to the game because violence marred their last visit to Manchester for the Uefa Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg at Eastlands in May 2008. This time, the Scottish team’s fans will be forced to meet at Wigan Athletic’s DW Stadium before boarding official coaches to Old Trafford.

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The much awaited draw for the European Champions League has given Manchester United an eminently winnable group which should see them qualify for the knockout stages without harming their Premiership hopes. But it will by no means be an easy task – no European Cup group ever is. Two leg matches against Glasgow Rangers, Spains Valencia and Turkeys Champions League debutants Bursaspor should nevertheless see United getting out of  Group C successfully.

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An army of world wide Manchester United fans only have a matter of hours to wait before discovering what the European Champions League has in store. With the lone exception of 1995-96 when the runner up in the previous season’s domestic league did not have an automatic right to qualify as they do these days, it will be the nineteenth consecutive year in which United has been in the draw of Europe’s most prestigious tournament – a record that no other Premier League club can claim, but the anticipation never fails to maintain its intensity.

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