Ex-Man City ace Leroy Sane makes Manchester United admission ahead of Champions League clash

Man United kick off their 2023/24 Champions League campaign later this month with their toughest group stage game as they head to the Allianz Arena.

Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane hopes to reignite an old rivalry when his side welcome Manchester United to the Allianz Arena for their opening Champions League group stage game.

United learned their group stage opponents last week, having secured a third-place finish in the Premier League last season. Erik ten Hag’s side were in pot two for the draw and will face Bayern, FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.

The opening gameweek will see United travel to face Bayern on Wednesday, September 20. Thomas Tuchel’s side won an 11th consecutive Bundesliga title last season but needed to wait until the final day to do so.

It will see the Reds come up against former Tottenham striker and transfer target Harry Kane, but also a former rival in Sane. The Germany international spent four years at Manchester City and is looking forward to facing an old foe.

“It’s a very nice opening fixture,” Sane told German outlet Kicker. “I’m looking forward to it, especially because I played for the local rivals.

“That can be a chance to see where we stand at the moment in Europe. Manchester United has a very strong team. We want to show that we not only want to advance, but also win the group.”

United last faced Bayern Munich in the Champions League in 2013/14, a two-legged quarter-final affair in which David Moyes’ side were beaten 3-1 in Munich and 4-2 on aggregate. The group stages will also see new signing Rasmus Hojlund come up against his former side in FC Copenhagen.