The Champions League is almost back. Manchester United have learned in the post-Fergie era not to take this for granted.
Thankfully United are back in the competition this year, for the second successive season, the first time that has happened since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
Bruno Fernandes doesn’t know any differently as a Manchester United player, thankfully, helping United finish in the top four in the last two seasons.
He is looking forward to another crack at the Champions League and he sent out a message celebrating the competition’s return, as well as sending a kind appreciation of teammate Juan Mata.
Mata was one of the players who helped Fernandes settle at United when he joined from Sporting.
The Spaniard has not played a single minute this season, and may hope to get some gametime in the competition if United can tie up qualification early.
Mata has actually won the Champions League, as part of the Chelsea squad which triumphed in 2012.
Fernandes is not the only player feeling excited for the tournament to kick off on Tuesday.
Teammate Paul Pogba also sent a message out expressing his excitement to get back on the big stage.
Pogba, Fernandes, and Mata all trained with the rest of United’s first team including Cristiano Ronaldo at Young Boys’ stadium on Monday night.
Ronaldo and teammate Raphael Varane each won the competition four times at Real Madrid, during United’s post-Fergie wilderness years.
We aren’t through that stage yet, but it feels like with Ronaldo’s return, we are getting back to how it used to be.
Winning a trophy this season will show United are back, and with this squad, why not aim for the big one?

Manchester United’s Champions League group stages fixtures 2021
- Young Boys (A)
Tuesday September 14, 5.45pm
- Villarreal (H)
Wednesday September 29, 8pm
- Atalanta (H)
Wednesday October 20, 8pm
- Atalanta (A)
Tuesday November 2, 8pm
- Villarreal (A)
Tuesday November 23, 5.45pm
- Young Boys (H)
Wednesday December 8, 8pm
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