Champions League Group H Preview: Manchester United have it easy

18 Yard Box's Pranav Shenoy has a close look at the teams involved in the Group H of this season's UEFA Champions League.

After the much awaited start of the new season of the Premier League its time to focus on Europe’s elite club competition i.e The UEFA Champions League. 18 Yard Box has a look at Group H which includes the likes of 19 times Premier League champions Manchester United, Turkish Champions Galatasaray AS, Sporting Braga from Portugal and Romanian Champions CFR 1907 Cluj.

Manchester United F.C

A team that needs no introduction, the Red Devils have won the cup in 1999 and 2008 while finishing runners up in 2009 and 2011 under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson. However, the disappointment of not crossing the group stages last year would haunt the team. With the addition of Shinji Kagawa and Robin Van Persie to an already potent strike force of Wayne Rooney, Nani and Antonio Valencia, United would look for nothing short of a semi-finals berth. If the team learned anything from the previous edition it is to never underestimate the opposition (FC Basel).

Robin Van Persie's arrival has made United one of the contenders

Galatasaray SK

A team that has produced quality players like Gheorge Hagi, Hakan Sukur and Arda Turan, Galatasaray have always underperformed in Europe. A squad that boasts of talented young Turkish players such as Aydin Yilmaz and Hamit Altintop and experienced veterans like Felipe Melo, Tomas Ujfalusi and Milan Baros, Galatasaray have a fair chance to progress to the next stage of the competition. Coach Fatih Terim and his men may not get a better opportunity than this to restore Galatasaray to its former glory.

Can Hamit lead Galatasaray to glory?

CFR 1907 Cluj

The Romanian champions make just their 2^nd appearance in the biggest European Championship after defeating the likes of FC Basel and Slovan Liberec in qualification. CFR Cluj are the unknown entity in this group who can provide us with the element of surprise. Striker Modou Sougou had an instant impact since his arrival at the club but can he compete against the big boys of Europe. With the recent acquisition of Jorge Martinez from Juventus, Cluj have added finesse to their squad.

Can CFR cluj make an impact in this edition or will they be the whipping boys of this group like fellow Romanian club Otelul Galati was in the previous season remains to be see.

Martinez will be the man to watch

Sporting club Braga

Possibly the only side outside the big three of Portugal which has competed in Europe earlier, and former Europa League finalist, Braga will be no pushovers in this year’s edition. Braga coach Jose Peseiro has a gifted squad full of Poruguese and Brazilian talent like Douglao, Hugo Viana, Eder and experienced goal keeper Quim to choose from. Braga might consider qualification as another step in their journey towards developing as a European power. This team might have those potential superstars which the Portuguese League has the tendency to produce time and time again.

Quim has to be on his toes all the way

The Final Verdict

This group is Manchester United’s easiest and quickest route to qualify for the next round. It seems Sir Alex Ferguson will fulfill his promise of qualifying throught the group stages if all goes well. United's strike force might be too much for the other teams to handle.

On paper the second team to go through will be Galatasaray but games are not won on paper.

Sporting Braga or Cluj can also go through to the next stage with some match-winning displays or ‘big’ upsets. For now this group promises to be a 3 horse race for 2^nd spot with United qualifying comfortably at the top of the table. 

Written By, 
Pranav Shenoy

Pranav is an Editor and writer for 18 Yard Box.