Manchester United and Manchester City could soon face each other in the revamped Champions League group stages after UEFA confirmed a new format for the 2024/25 season onwards.
Both Manchester clubs will be involved in Europe's flagship competition next season, with United securing a third-place Premier League finish while City stormed to a third successive title. The pair will be joined by Arsenal and Newcastle, who finished second and fourth respectively.
Qualification for the 2024/25 edition could be a little easier for both, however, with UEFA considering handing the Premier League a fifth place - although that will be based on the upcoming season's performances compared to other nations. The reason for this change is due to the expansion of the tournament to 36 teams.
The new format that will be adopted from 2024/25 onwards, with UEFA confirming the introduction of a 'Swiss model' in which teams will be placed into a league table. From there, each team will be drawn against eight opponents - four home and four away - with the two extra group stage games set to take place in January.
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As with the current format, UEFA will do its utmost to keep teams from the same country apart, but the organisers will allow associations with four or five teams to be drawn against one domestic rival. The Premier League is guaranteed at least four teams in the 2024/25 competition, meaning there could be a Manchester derby in the group stages.
Such a scenario is not guaranteed, with the draw for group stage fixtures being made from four pots of nine teams each. However, UEFA will allow one game against domestic opponents if there is a deadlock in the process.
City and United could also face off against one of the other Premier League teams to qualify, with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea all vying for a place in the 2024/25 competition. Another key change for the 2024/25 edition will come in the knockout stages, with country protection also removed for the knockout play-off rounds and the round of 16.
The knockout rounds will also be altered, with UEFA adopting a fully-seeded, tennis-style format in the hope that it will keep the biggest sides apart for the longest possible time. For example, the two teams who finish first and second in the group stage table will be drawn on opposite sides, meaning they could not meet until the final.
