Rating Manchester United’s 2026/27 Champions League league-phase fixtures

The draw for this season’s Champions League league-phase took place in Monaco on Thursday evening, with Manchester United discovering their eight opponents.

With United placed into pot 2, The Red Devils had to wait for a substantial period before their fixtures were confirmed.

That confirmation came eventually, however, with Michael Carrick’s side facing the following sides in the league-phase:

• Bayern Munich (H)
• Atletico Madrid (A)
• AS Roma (H)
• Sporting CP (A)
• RB Leipzig (H)
• Villarreal (A)
• Sabah (H)
• Como (A)

The first of these fixtures, against Bayern, will take place between September 8th and September 10th, with the exact dates for each of the side’s matches to be revealed in the coming days.

Whilst that anticipation builds for supporters, many have begun to plan their potential journeys through the league-phase as The Red Devils aim to secure their spot in the Round of 16.

Others, meanwhile, have been rating the matches on how difficult they each will be.

Rating Manchester United’s Champions League league-phase matches

Bayern Munich (H): 7/10

Beginning their Champions League journey in front of the Old Trafford faithful, Manchester United will host Bayern Munich in their first ever league-phase fixture.

Having made the quarter-finals of last season’s tournament, Bayern are looking to go all the way in this campaign’s edition of the tournament and won the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal last season.

With big name players, such as Harry Kane and Michael Olise, the threat that the German champions will bring to the encounter can not be understated.

Following last season’s run under Michael Carrick, however, which saw United beat Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool at Old Trafford, United may approach this match with confidence.

Big names, and outstanding performances, are likely to define this encounter. It is whether those on the United side step up to the occasion which will dictate if Michael Carrick’s men walk away with all three points.

Atletico Madrid (A): 6/10

United’s first away match of the Champions League takes the side to Madrid, where they will face Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.

Playing in the venue that will host the competition’s final next June, and for the first time competitively since the 2021/22 season, The Red Devils will face some of LaLiga’s biggest names including Julian Alvarez and Cristian Romero.

Premier League champions Arsenal knocked Atletico out of the Champions League last season at the semi-final stage, having drawn at the Metropolitano. Atletico, on the other hand, lost at home just three times during last season’s competition.

Having beat Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 at the Metropolitano during their opening league-phase home match in last season’s Champions League, United’s chances of winning this clash appear unlikely.

An inspired performance across the field will be needed if The Red Devils are to come away with all three points in this encounter.

AS Roma (H): 7.5/10

Returning to Old Trafford for their third league-phase fixture of the season, Michael Carrick’s men will face AS Roma.

Roma, who sit top of Serie A currently after one match, were knocked out in the Round of 16 in the Europa League last season by Bologna but finished third in the league to secure a Champions League place.

Meeting in the Champions League for the first time since 2008, both sides will have settled into their rhythm when this encounter takes place which could make this match an entertaining prospect.

United have won four of their five games against Roma in this competition, and will look to continue that good run in this match.

Victory at Old Trafford here may be imperative to helping United secure qualification for the last 16. How crucial this game turns out to be will only be revealed when it comes to be played.

Sporting CP (A): 6.5/10

Visiting former manager Ruben Amorim’s old club, Michael Carrick’s men will travel to Portugal in their fourth league-phase fixture to face Sporting CP.

Manchester United have signed several players from the Portuguese side, including captain Bruno Fernandes, over the last decade but will face up against their opposition for just the fifth time in history.

Marking the halfway point of the league-phase, this fixture could be an opportunity for United to build on their pre-established form or to turn their campaign around.

Taking place at the start of November, both sides may look to take differing things from this fixture. There is one thing both sides will want, though: three points.

In United’s last trip to Sporting, back in 2007, The Red Devils won 1-0 with legend Cristiano Ronaldo netting the winner. Will Bruno Fernandes step up to the mantle against his former club and claim victory in a similar manner or will Sporting please their home faithful with a win? That will be decided in the game itself.

RB Leipzig (H): 8/10

Entering the latter stages of the league-phase, Old Trafford will host Manchester United and RB Leipzig at the end of November.

With both teams facing tough fixtures up until this point, this match could be a crucial one in the qualification hopes of the two sides.

United beat Leipzig emphatically in their last meeting at Old Trafford, with The Red Devils running out 5-0 winners, something they will aim to repeat in this fixture.

Carrick’s men are likely to face challenges during this match, although it does appear more winnable than previous league-phase games if the side can put the pieces together.

With a lot likely to be at stake, Manchester United will aim for three points, points that could be essential in the club’s final finish in the league table.

Villarreal (A): 7/10

Travelling to Villarreal for their sixth league-phase match, some United supporters may begin to think back to the club’s defeat against the Spanish side in the 2021 Europa League final.

That defeat, in the last major European final Manchester United were in, was heartbreaking, emotions that were further emphasized through the nature of it.

United’s last visit to Villarreal ended in glory, however, during their 2021/22 Champions League campaign, with The Red Devils winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho.

Should Michael Carrick’s men win on Spanish soil in this match, it would be a huge step towards ensuring qualification for the Round of 16.

Entering enemy territory, though, the possibility of a victory appears unlikely, with inspired performances needed if United are to pull it off.

Sabah (H): 9/10

Playing at Old Trafford the final time in the 2026/27 Champions League league-phase, Manchester United will face Azerbaijan Premier League outfit Sabah.

United’s opponents, playing in the competition for the first time, won their respective league and came through qualification to earn the right of playing in the league-phase.

Returning to Old Trafford after a trip to Spain, Michael Carrick’s side will aim to pick up three points against the Champions League debutants.

This game appears to be the most winnable out of Manchester United’s eight league-phase fixtures, although those associated with Sabah will know: there is nothing to lose.

Carrick’s men will have to tread lightly, although should claim victory with the wealth of talent available within the squad.

Como (A): 7.5/10

Finishing away from home, Manchester United will face Comp in their final league-phase match of the season.

Carrick, and those associated with United, may aim to have qualification secured by this stage in the league-phase although this match could be decisive should that not be the case.

This meeting will be the first between the two sides, and will likely to be the last in this season’s competition.

It appears more winnable than games against Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, although caution must be taken to ensure all three points are earned here.

Finishing on a high will be essential for the side, both in potentially securing qualification and setting the correct tone for any potential knockout games.