The UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase is over, and the knockout stage outlook is now much clearer. Manchester City avoided disaster, Liverpool topped the league-phase table, and we will get Manchester City against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the playoffs.

There is going to be a blockbuster Champions League knockout playoff round tie between Manchester City and Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. Here's why.

Manchester City face an intriguing Champions League last 16 play-off tie against either title holders Real Madrid or five-time winners Bayern Munich. That is already known because all 24 teams that have advanced from the league phase are placed in a tennis-like bracket for the first time - showing a team's potential path towards the May 31 final in Munich.

Amorim's United feels like a pencil sketch of a grander planned work - there are signs of progress but huge improvements are needed

Manchester United have reached a verbal agreement over the signing of Danish left-back Patrick Chinaza Dorgu. The reported fee is around €30 million (£25.2m) plus $5m in add-ons. Manchester United Finally Got Their Left Back Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has been yearning for a new left-back,