The five British clubs in the Champions League have been given relatively favourable draws for the group stages of the competition which kicks off in mid September.

Last season’s finalists Manchester United take on CSKA Moscow, Besiktas and Wolfsburg in Group B, a trio of games that manager Sir Alex Ferguson has described as tricky. Speaking after the draw took place in Monaco, Fergie said:

These are difficult ties, especially the trips to Russia and Turkey.

CSKA have developed strongly in the last few years, and games in Turkey are always difficult.

We also know the quality that we’re up against with Wolfsburg, with what they achieved in the Bundesliga last season.

Liverpool face Lyon, Fiorentina and Debrecen while Chelsea, who lost out in the semi finals last season to Barcelona, play Porto, Atletico Madrid and APOEL Nicosia.

Arsenal have been drawn against AZ Alkmaar, Olympiakos and Standard Liege, while Rangers will play Sevilla, Stuttgart and Unirea Urziceni.

Big-spending Real Madrid have been drawn in Group C, along with AC Milan, Marseille and Zurich.

Group A

Bayern Munich
Juventus
Bordeaux
Maccabi Haifa

Group B

Manchester United
CSKA Moscow
Besiktas
Wolfsburg

Group C

AC Milan
Real Madrid
Marseille
FC Zurich

Group D

Chelsea
Porto
Atletico Madrid
APOEL Nicosia

Group E

Liverpool
Lyon
Fiorentina
Debrecen

Group F

Barcelona
Inter Milan
Dinamo Kiev
Rubin Kazan

Group G

Rangers
Sevilla
Stuttgart
Unirea Urziceni

Group H

Arsenal
AZ Alkmaar
Olympiakos
Standard Liege

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