Manchester United's stern test in the group stage of the Champions League has been compounded by a fixture list which sees them play two massive Premier League clashes immediately after long trips to Turkey and Russia.
United were drawn in Group B with Turkish side Besiktas, CSKA Moscow and German champions Wolfsburg. Sir Alex Ferguson now faces a major headache with United at home to Manchester City after travelling to Istanbul and away at Liverpool four days after their Moscow journey.
"These are difficult ties, especially the trips to Russia and Turkey," said Ferguson. "CSKA have developed strongly in the last few years and games in Turkey are always difficult."
He added: "We also know the quality that we're up against with Wolfsburg, with what they achieved in the Bundesliga last season."
The British clubs all avoided the European heavyweights of Barcelona, Real Madrid and the Milan sides.
Chelsea are in Group D with Porto, Atletico Madrid and Apoel Nicosia, Liverpool face Lyon, Fiorentina and Debreceni in Group E, while Arsenal have perhaps the easiest task with AZ Alkmaar, Olympiacos and Standard Liege in Group H.
Rangers were drawn against Sevilla, Stuttgart and Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni - coached by Dan Petrescu - in Group G.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "The important thing as always is that the travelling isn't too bad, we don't have too far to go for any of the games.
"Lyon might not have won the league last season but before that they won it many years in a row, so we know they have lots of good players who can play good football," he told the club's official website.
"Fiorentina are an historic club and if Debreceni have won their league then we know it means it's because they're a good side."
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beshiktas- m.u 0-1 or 0-2 cska-m.u. 0-1 wolfburg-m.u. 0-2 i think
why dont fuc*kieson draw up the fixtures? my arse*
typical fu*ckieson..
I don't think the match between the German Chimpions this season will be a one to pasby, Wolvesburg will definitely want to show their conterpart in hom and away and as a matter of fact the Turkish side is alo better to watch, am not underating any side because mos of the teams are preparing to meet their conterpart and hold them in draw. i will also want to see the better side win and this season should be a one to remainber not like the last season were sides were talking because of the issue of Bristish side and Spanish sides, we are not going to watch matches that are full of @#$% so i want Platini to remove his mind in supporting his boys Barcelona because we are not going to face any charges when the british side will reat over their cheatings and robneing their matches.
Am really surpprise that Platini was not fare the way the panel want last time, Barcelona should not be sided, i mean football should not be a thing of politics were the officials will take side because that is not what the public want to see this time.
Any official that robe any match because he wanted the big team to cross ahead should be penalized and totally band from officiating matches, all hands must be on deck to see that matches are not robe.
I will always be party to better teams win the day.
Thanks and God Bless and the players.
Why is this dad whingeing about?Liverpool also will have a trip before the encounter.Remember the 4-1 at OT ManU had six days rest and Liverpool just three.If you are old please give way to young managers and stop whingeing
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