24/08/2017 17:50, Report by Adam Marshall

Manchester United's return to the Champions League pits the Reds in Group A, alongside Benfica, Basel and CSKA Moscow.

Jose Mourinho's men earned a place in the elite continental competition by winning the Europa League last term and will be eagerly awaiting special nights at Old Trafford and beyond.

Top seeds Benfica, the club's opponents 50 seasons ago in the European Cup final – one of nine competitive meetings between the teams – sold defender Victor Lindelof to United in the summer while another new boy, Nemanja Matic, also plied his trade for the Lisbon giants. Reds boss Mourinho was Benfica coach in 2000, after previously serving as assistant boss.

Swiss champions Basel beat Sir Alex's team in 2011, knocking United out of the competition, and the Reds have won only one of four previous clashes with the club so there will be no underestimating Raphael Wicky's side.

The final team drawn out by Francesco Totti and Andriy Shevchenko were CSKA Moscow with a return to the city where United last won the trophy in 2008.

Group A: Benfica, Manchester United, Basel, CSKA Moscow.

Group B: Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Anderlecht, Celtic. 

Group C: Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Roma, Qarabag.

Group D: Juventus, Barcelona, Olympiacos, Sporting Lisbon.

Group E: Spartak Moscow, Sevilla, Liverpool, Maribor.

Group F: Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester City, Napoli, Feyenoord.

Group G: Monaco, Porto, Besiktas, RB Leipzig.

Group H: Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham Hotspur, Apoel Nicosia.

The first games will take place on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 September, with the group phase concluding with matchday six on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 December.

TICKET INFORMATION
The club will confirm further details about fixture dates and tickets in due course, with any relevant sales arrangements to be communicated on ManUtd.com. Please check our Tickets & Hospitality pages for details.