Wayne Rooney is expected to return to the first team once again as the Red Devils start their maiden UEFA Champions League voyage under new manager David Moyes against former Liverpool great Sami Hyypia's Bayer Leverkusen.
Although this is Moyes first hack at leading United on the continent he dose have some European competitive experience from his time at Everton. However, for the current Premier League champions entering their 18th consecutive Champions League race there are high expectations.
Hyypia lifted the Champions League title with Liverpool as a player in 2005 in the "Miracle" of Istanbul, but he has never managed his side in the major competition and Leverkusen's overall record of two draws and eight losses on English soil in the competitions past does not send a positive message.
None the less, Hyypia's in-form front pair of Stefan Kiessling and Sidney Sam have both already scored four goals in the Bundesliga and will be hungry for more against United.
With Johnny Evans and Chris Smalling both expected in the back line in place of resting Rio Ferdinand and injured rightback primary selections Rafael and Phil Jones, the United back line will be different yet again this season.
All in all, United will be expected to win on home soil at Old Trafford, but stranger things have happened than a heavily under-favored side getting the better of a big club in the group stages.
