Man United Women handed brutal Champions League draw featuring Lyon and Wolfsburg

Manchester United Women have discovered their opponents for the inaugural league phase of the Women’s Champions League following Friday’s draw at Nyon.

The competition’s new format sees the 18 teams play in a league phase, each playing three home and away games.

Man United will face French champions Lyon at home, and also host Paris Saint-Germain and Norwegian outfit Valerenga. Their away games will see them take on Atletico Madrid, Wolfsburg and Juventus.

Valerenga debuted in the competition last season, Lyon are the record winners, and Wolfsburg have won it twice. PSG have reached the final twice, while Atleti and Juventus are not newcomers.

United were excellent in the qualifying phase, beating PSV and Hammarby before defeating Norwegian side Brann 3-1 on aggregate in the final qualifying round at Leigh Sports Village on Thursday.

With United playing in the competition for the first time, coach Marc Skinner has challenged his side to ‘go in there and not just make up the numbers’.

Skinner is confident that United now have players with competitive experience, but admits that playing in the Champions League is ‘a totally different challenge’.

United have made giant strides under the Birmingham-born coach and will be hoping that he can guide them to the latter stages of Europe’s elite competition.

Man United have enjoyed a great start to the season in the Women’s Super League, winning their opening two games by a 9-1 aggregate scoreline.

However, it remains to be seen whether they can combine domestic and European commitments without any blemish, particularly without bolstering the squad enough during the transfer window.

United host Champions League holders Arsenal at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday afternoon, hoping to continue their impeccable start to the season.

Article written by Henry Thornton .