Manchester United will commence their 2017-18 UEFA Champions League campaign in just eight days when they host FC Basel in group play. Today saw United releasing their official UCL roster, and with it a couple surprises on who was included. Forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic and James Wilson were named, while Marcus Rashford, who is under the the age of 21, was b-listed.
Manager Jose Mourinho has previously said that Ibrahimovic would be ready to return to action in January.
As for Wilson, he hasn’t any meaningful action for United since an October 2015 League Cup tie.
His only appearance in the Mourinho era came in the Portugese’s very first match in charge, a preseason friendly versus Wigan.
Manchester United Champions League Full Squad List:
Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Sergio Romero
Defenders: Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw
Midfielders: Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic, Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick, Ashley Young, Lingard
Forwards: Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, James Wilson
B list includes: Joel Pereira, Axel Tuanzebe, Scott McTominay, Marcus Rashford
The return from international break this weekend commences an extremely busy month for the Red Devils. It encompasses a seven match in 22 days period. This was also the topic Juan Mata wrote about on his blog.
United are the overwhelming Group A favorite. Looking at Group A odds, United are 2/5 to win according to Sky Bet. CSKA Moscow are 11/1, FC Basel are 16/1 and Benfica comes in at 3/1.
United are the only Group A side on Sky Bet’s board to win Champions League out right, and they’re being backed at 11/1.
ICYMI – an action-packed month lies ahead! #MUFC pic.twitter.com/1hcUbLO2RE
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 4, 2017
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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