Yes, you read that right. The 36-team group will see each team play eight matches, instead of six, against four opponents which are drawn via pots. The top eight teams in the big group will automatically qualify for the knockout stages. Teams ranked 9th-24th will be drawn in a two-legged play-off. Teams finishing 25th or lower will be automatically eliminated. If this all sounds a little confusing, well, this is UEFA’s answer to the Super League. More matches, a league format, and, well, it’s just not the same is it. If Manchester United do qualify and reach the Champions League, competing in it next season will have a whole new feel. UEFA are essentially taking a product which ‘is not broke’ and trying to fix it. Qualifying for the Champions League will be tough Manchester United face a tough battle just to qualify for the Champions League next season. Currently the team ranked sixth in the Premier League, six points behind fourth place, and could fall further behind with a defeat to Liverpool at the weekend. There is a long way to go, and complete elimination from European competition this season could help simplify the club’s task. But Newcastle, another competitor, were also knocked out, fourth in their group. It is going to be tight, and Manchester United must get their act together just to be part of the new format, which will have a financial incentive with increased prize money. New Europa League format If the new Champions League sounds like a pretty uninspired competition to be a part of, then you won’t be excited about next season’s Europa League either. The Europa League and Europa Conference League will also be radically reformatted to follow the Champions League model, with one large group stage, before the knockout rounds. There is currently a stronger chance Manchester United end up in one of these competitions in 2024/25. What joy. Under-21 football has taken this approach If the new format sounds bizarre, it’s not totally unheard of. This season the Premier League’s under-21 competition was reformatted from the old North and South divisions to one big division, where every team plays a certain amount of games. The ‘Swiss style’ format means the team that finishes first in the league don’t actually win it. They just get top seeding for the play-offs, featuring the top 16 teams of the 26 team division. Manchester United currently rank 13th. Related Topics CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EUROPA LEAGUE RELATED POSTS MORE IN NEWS More in News ABOUT US EDITORIAL POLICY AUTHORS NEWSLETTER WHATSAPP CHANNEL CONTACT US PRIVACY POLICY COMPLAINTS PRIVACY SETTINGS a proud member of © 2023 GRV Media Ltd. All Rights Reserved GRV Media Ltd, 18 Mulberry Avenue, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 0WN Company No. 04155089

Cristiano Ronaldo labelled GOAT by former Manchester United teammate Tom Heaton also-read-trending Trending Sporting Lisbon vs Porto Prediction and Betting Tips | December 18th 2023 Jamie Carragher reveals Manchester United legend has picked Virgil van Dijk as best centre-back in PL history over Chelsea legend John Terry Speaking to MUTV, Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton suggested that Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo is the best footballer of all time. He said (h/t GOAL): "In my opinion, the GOAT [greatest of all time] is Cristiano. Having been here with him the first time and then seeing how he improved, how he got better and made himself into the best player in the world." Heaton, who has represented United just three times so far, concluded: "I'd just signed by the time he came back for his second stint, and seeing the same drive, hunger, being first in the gym, same appetite to work keeps him at that level. What he's achieved has been incredible." Ronaldo, who has a contract until June 2025 at the Al-Awwal Park, has scored 869 goals and registered 281 assists in 1200 appearances for both club and country so far. He has lifted a whopping 36 trophies, including two for Portugal and five UEFA Champions League crowns.The 38-year-old striker recently became the second male footballer to net 50 goals in 2023 after Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland. Quick Links Atletico Madrid Football Al-Nassr Cristiano Ronaldo Edited by Debkalpa Banerjee Rate this story! BE THE FIRST ONE TO COMMENT Profile picture Type your comment... GIF Android's Best Kept Secret: Ad-Blocking in Just a Few Taps! Your Android device can block ads and it's one of the fastest ways to speed up browsing, reduce data usage and protect your security: it's now easier than ever! Smartsecuritynow.com | Sponsored Top Football updates Clicnscores | Sponsored Most Android Users Didn't Know How To Block Ads (Do It Now) Your Android device can block ads and it's one of the fastest ways to speed up browsing, reduce data usage and protect your security: it's now easier than ever! Smartsecuritynow.com | Sponsored Register & Receive NGN500,000 Welcome Bonus Immediately New Chance To Grab iPhone 14 Away From MSport. Join Free Lucky Draw Now Or Lose it. MSport Betting | Sponsored Register & Receive NGN500,000 Welcome Bonus Immediately New Chance To Grab iPhone 14 Away From MSport. Join Free Lucky Draw Now Or Lose it. MSport Betting | Sponsored Top Football updates Clicnscores | Sponsored Spin it, Win it! Extra ₦500,000 is Given When You Join Receive Your Cash Back Only Within 2 Mins Only In MSport. MSport Betting | Sponsored Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Totally Surprise You Dubai Villas | Sponsored The Cost of Luxury Villas in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai Villas | Sponsored Cardiologists: Too Much Belly Fat? Do This Before Bed Matcha Slim | Sponsored Treatment That Might Help You Against ED (Search Here) ED Treatment | Search Ads | Sponsored Here Are The New Kitchen Trends In 2023 Kitchen Remodeling | Search Ads | Sponsored Marry a Canadian Woman and Immigrate To Canada Canada IJ | Sponsored ED Treatments You May Not Believe Exist In Mexico. ED Treatment | Search Ads | Sponsored If you have high blood pressure, read this now. Cardiology in Nigeria | Sponsored More from Sportskeeda “Does Xavi’s life depend on him?” - Barcelona fans unhappy after star player is named in starting XI to face Valencia %E2%80%9CDoes%20Xavi%E2%80%99s%20life%20depend%20on%20him%3F%E2%80%9D%20-%20Barcelona%20fans%20unhappy%20after%20star%20player%20is%20named%20in%20starting%20XI%20to%20face%20Valencia “Does Xavi’s life depend on him?” - Barcelona fans unhappy after star player is named in starting XI to face Valencia comment Comment Atalanta vs Salernitana Prediction and Betting Tips | December 18th 2023 Atalanta%20vs%20Salernitana%20Prediction%20and%20Betting%20Tips%20%7C%20December%2018th%202023 Atalanta vs Salernitana Prediction and Betting Tips | December 18th 2023 comment Comment Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United: 5 hits and flops as Palmer and Jackson scored apiece to down obdurate Blades | Premier League 2023-24 Chelsea%202-0%20Sheffield%20United%3A%205%20hits%20and%20flops%20as%20Palmer%20and%20Jackson%20scored%20apiece%20to%20down%20obdurate%20Blades%20%7C%20Premier%20League%202023-24%C2%A0 Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United: 5 hits and flops as Palmer and Jackson scored apiece to down obdurate Blades | Premier League 2023-24 comment Comment Manchester City set record during first half of 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace Manchester%20City%20set%20record%20during%20first%20half%20of%202-2%20draw%20with%20Crystal%20Palace Manchester City set record during first half of 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace comment Comment

Mbappe Vs Zidane : The Tale of Two World Cup Winning French Golden... Atletico Madrid executive director Miguel Angel Gil Marin has confirmed that the La Liga outfit were interested in roping in Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this January.During this year's winter transfer window, the Portuguese striker had emerged as a hot topic of transfer discussion. He was linked with a host of teams after he had his Manchester United contract terminated past November. His Old Trafford exit came after his decision to slam both the club and Erik ten Hag in a chat with broadcaster Piers Morgan. Apart from the likes of Bayern Munich and Napoli, Atletico Madrid were also said to be hoping to add the five-time Ballon d'Or award winner to their squad. Now, Marin has revealed his team's plans in an interview. He was quoted as saying by reputed Indian site Essentially Sports: "We wanted to sign him when he was leaving Manchester United, but now he is playing with Al-Nassr and shining, and we do not want to talk about that." Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr on a free switch earlier this year, has been in stellar form for his club this season. He has scored 26 goals and laid out 10 assists in 28 appearances across competitions so far.A 204-cap Portugal international, Ronaldo will next be in action for Al-Nassr in their league clash against Al-Ettifaq on Friday (December 22).