Manchester United drew with Valencia in the last match of the group stages to win the group. Succeeding in their aim of avoiding Real Madrid and Barcelona, United could be pitted against runners-up like Inter Milan, Lyon, Marseille, AC Milan or Copenhagen when Sir Bobby Charlton assists the last-16 pairings in Nyon.
David Gill has talked up Manchester United's business model by saying that they have a long-term financing structure in place. "We have a long-term financing structure in place, excellent revenues that are growing, we are controlling our costs and we can afford the interest on our long-term finance," he said.
Fabio Da Silva was given a rare start by Ferguson in the Champions League match with Rangers. Only Darren Fletcher remained from the Everton eleven and there were welcome returns to the starting eleven for Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney with Chris Smalling and Javier Hernandez making their Champions League debuts.
Chris Smalling has said that he is not unfazed by challenge for places provided by players like Fabio da Silva. The 20-year-old went to Old Trafford this summer for £10million from Fulham in one of the most eyebrow-raising transfers so far after agreeing a deal back in January.
It has been a meteoric rise to success for the young centre-back, who was plucked from obscurity by Roy Hodgson two years ago to move to Craven Cottage from non-league Maidstone.
The start of the Premier League season is always one of the highlights of the sporting calendar, but this year it promises to be even more special. That’s because talkSPORT is launching its fantastic new Predictor game which is set to have football fans up and down the country in a frenzy of excitement.
Manchester United fullback Fabio da Silva says that he is aware of the great expectations on himself and twin brother Rafael.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson expects both players to be big stars at Old Trafford.
And Fabio da Silva said: "The night before I first moved here, I never slept. I was wondering what would happen. Here everything is different, but we are adapting.
Carlos Tevez has admitted he has considered quitting international football due to criticism from Argentina fans and journalists, with one of them openly placing online sports bet on Tevez scoring no goals at the next World Cup.
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Everton striker Louis Saha has admitted he was troubled mentally during his time at Manchester United.
The Frenchman endured an injury-ravaged spell with the Red Devils and said that the mental challenge of trying to constantly get back to full fitness as well as keeping the club and the fans happy took its toll on him.