Manchester United pitted with PSG after error-strewn Champions League draw
- Paul Okey
- 13 December 2021
United drifted in in the betting after being paired with Lionel's Messi's side but UEFA have now ordered a redraw.
The Champions League knockout stages are set to be redrawn after an error-strewn draw in Nyon.
While the error was spotted and Manchester City were then drawn out to face Villarreal, United appeared not to be returned to the pot for the subsequent draw against Atletico Madrid.
It left Bayern to face the Spanish champions, with United eventually pitted against Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.
The error was picked up by many watching the draw live and social media was quickly aflame with accusations of bias and a conspiracy against United.
They messed up the draw and covered it up. United were mistakenly put in the pot for Villarreal and then drawn out against them and then left out for Atletico.
— Matthew Lloyd 💙 (@statto10) December 13, 2021
Shambles. https://t.co/MHgHG2sn2S
🎥 Video footage showing that Manchester United's ball for #UCLdraw — in the second pot from the right, back row — was not included in the Atletico Madrid draw #mufc #mujournal
— United Journal (@theutdjournal) December 13, 2021
[@mjcritchley]pic.twitter.com/5NzLxDeGl8
The prospect of facing Lionel Messi and PSG had seen United eased from 14/1 to 20s in the betting.
There had been better news for United's Premier League rivals who were initially handed much easier assignments for when the competition resumed in February.
As well as City heading to Villarreal, Liverpool were due to face RB Salzburg, while Chelsea were pitted against Lille.
All three saw their odds trimmed, with favourites City into 11/4 from 4/1, Liverpool 4/1 from 5s and reigning champions Chelsea into 7/1 having started the day at 9/1.
The other fixtures in the original draw saw Benfica take on Real Madrid, Inter Milan come up against Ajax and Sporting Lisbon play Juventus.
