The Champions League's return is upon us, with United heading to Bern earlier today ahead of their third ever meeting with Young Boys. With the hosts' stadium sporting a unique artificial surface, Solskjaer was particularly eager for his players to be put through their paces on the pitch following their arrival in the capital.
The Swiss champions were also the reds' first opponents in the prestigious competition three years ago, with a second visit being paid to the nation's capital for matchday one tomorrow evening. United came out on top in both 2018 encounters, with Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial starring in a 3-0 win in Bern first time around. At Old Trafford, it took a late Marouane Fellaini winner for the three points to be secured.
Young Boys aren't the only familiar face in Group F, with Europa League victors Villarreal drawn alongside United - keen to put things right after the aforementioned final in May. Italian side Atalanta complete the group, with the Serie A outfit becoming somewhat a mainstay amongst Europe's elite. Despite winning three of the opening four matches in last season's competition within an admittedly tough group, United fell short when the opportunity to qualify for the knockout stages arose. A repeat this time around would be far from ideal, especially given some welcome additions who very much know how to succeed at such level.
Young Boys failed to qualify for the Champions League last term, though they eventually found themselves in the Europa League Round of 16 before losing quite emphatically to Ajax. This season, however, victory to Ferencvaros in the play-off round (after navigating qualifying) saw them secure their return to the pinnacle of European football.
United's opposition also secured their fourth successive Swiss Super League title last term, brining their all-time total to 15 having finished a substantial 31 points clear of Basel. It has been a tougher start to the current campaign, though, with only two wins sandwiching a pair of draws and a single defeat from the opening five matches. Still - with a game in hand which could see them rise a place - the reigning champions sit a healthy fourth.
The United squad was revealed prior to the team travelling, outlining where particular figures are in terms of fitness. Edinson Cavani misses out again having sustained a knock in training during the international break - it’s expected he will be absent for around another week with some "strain". Neither Dean Henderson or Scott McTominay are ready to return just yet, though Phil Jones has featured for the under 23s as he nears a possible recall. Alex Telles and Marcus Rashford are still sidelined.
The full squad is as follows: De Gea, Heaton, Kovar; Varane, Maguire, Lindelof, Bailly, Wan-Bissaka, Dalot, Shaw; Matic, Fred, Van de Beek, Pogba Fernandes, Lingard, Mata; Sancho, Greenwood, Elanga, Martial, Ronaldo.
Let's get this show on the road!
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