The return of the Champions League is finally here as Group A gets underway tomorrow with Bayern Munich welcoming Manchester United to the Allianz Arena.

With Bayern Munich being currently unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season and Manchester United struggling for form in the Premier League, Bayern will be entering this fixture as favourites to win the tie, especially as they play at home.

Additionally, Bayern have never lost a home fixture against Manchester United by winning three and drawing two against them. They are also currently unbeaten in 34 Champions League group games, winning their last 13 in a row.

Thomas Tuchel’s side made some real statement signings in the summer in order to push for the Champions League title including the €50m signing of Serie A winner Kim Min-jae to bolster the defence and the €100m signing of Harry Kane who scored 213 goals during his time in the Premier League.

Kane will be no stranger to facing Manchester United, having already played against them nineteen times in his career. He has produced four goals and three assists within his last ten competitive games against them and another goal will seem likely if he continues his start to the season against a shaky and injury hit Manchester United defence.

There are no fresh injury concerns for Bayern as Raphaël Guerreiro has returned to training after recovering from his thigh injury. Kingsley Coman has also returned to training but may not be ready to start the game.

Manchester United make their return to the Champions League after competing in the Europa League last season where they were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Atlético Madrid. This will be Eric ten Hag’s first time leading his side into a Champions League fixture but finds himself in a difficult situation with his squad going into it.

Not only is their first game against the Bundesliga Champions but they have also been hit with some big early injuries this season and will be without some important players for this match. It was confirmed after United’s loss on Saturday that right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka has suffered a hamstring injury and will be out for several weeks whilst Luke Shaw, Sofyan Amrabat and Tyrell Malacia have also been struggling with injuries.

Raphaël Varane and Mason Mount have additionally been out for some time but have both returned to training today. It is unknown whether they will be included in the matchday squad tomorrow. 

Ten Hag has also had to deal with issues of the pitch which will mean that his side will also be without Antony and former Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho for the foreseeable future.

GGFN | Matthew Gritton

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