United Face Villarreal, Lille & Benfica

By David Hobbs
August 26 2005

Manchester United have been drawn with Villarreal, Lille and Benfica in Group D of the Champions League Group Stages meanwhile Chelsea and Liverpool find themselves in the same group.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has reiterated his intentions to stay at Old Trafford despite tempting links to La Liga giants Barcelona and Real

United avoided competition from Pot 2 including Juventus to land the team who knocked Everton out of the competition just last night, Villarreal.

The Spaniards have Diego Forlan on their books, a cult-hero in the eyes of many United fans. Forlan had an amazing season with Villarreal last season, finishing as La Liga's top goalscorer.

French outfit Lille were next out of the pot followed by Portuguese champions Benfica.

United, two time winners of the Champions League, will be hoping to emulate their run in 1999 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham helped the Red Devils lift the trophy. This year's final will take place in Paris.

Full Champions League Draw:

Group A
Bayern Munich
Juventus
Club Brugge
Rapid Vienna

Group B
Arsenal
Ajax
Sparta Prague
Thun

Group C
Barcelona
Panathinaikos
Werder Bremen
Udinese

Group D
Manchester United
Villarreal
Lille
Benfica

Group E
AC Milan
PSV Eindhoven
Schalke
Fenerbahce

Group F
Real Madrid
Lyon
Olympiakos
Rosenborg

Group G
Liverpool
Chelsea
Anderlecht
Real Betis

Group H
Inter Milan
Porto
Rangers
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David Hobbs - Webmaster
[david@manutdweb.com]