Manchester United and Man City could soon meet in Champions League group stages amid new format

UEFA have confirmed they will update the format of the Champions League from 2024/25 with Man United and Manchester City potentially set to meet in the group stages should they qualify.

Manchester United and Manchester City could soon meet in a revamped Champions League group stage after UEFA approved the new format for the 2024/25 season.

Both Manchester clubs will take part in Europe’s most important competition next season. United secured third place in the Premier League and City won their third consecutive title. The pair were joined by Arsenal and Newcastle, who finished second and fourth respectively.

However, qualification for the 2024/25 edition could be a little easier for both countries as UEFA are looking to give the Premier League a fifth-place finish, but this will be a factor next season compared to other countries. will be determined based on the performance of The reason for this change is that the tournament has expanded to 36 teams.

With the new format to be adopted from 2024/25, UEFA has confirmed the introduction of a ‘Swiss model’ for ranking teams. From then on, each team will face eight teams, four at home and four away, with two more group stage games scheduled for January.

As with the current format, UEFA will do their best to keep teams from the same country together, but the organizers believe that a coalition of four or he five teams will play against national rivals. I admit The Premier League is guaranteed at least four teams in the competition for the 2024/25 season, with a possible Manchester derby in the group stage.

Such a scenario is not guaranteed, as the group stage matches consist of four pots of nine teams each. However, in the event of a stalemate, UEFA will allow matches against domestic opponents.

City and United, with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in contention for the 2024/25 season, could face other Premier League teams for qualification. Another major change for the 2024/25 edition will occur in the Knockout stage, with the Knockout Playoffs and Round of 16 also removing the country’s protection.

The knockout rounds have also changed, with UEFA adopting a fully seeded tennis-style format in hopes of keeping the biggest teams apart for as long as possible. For example, in the group stage he can only face off in the final, as the two teams that finished first and his second will be drawn on opposite sides.