United set to delve into unknown

Scouts from all four clubs in Group B will be busy over the next few weeks, with none of the sides – Manchester United FC, PFC CSKA Moskva, Beşiktaş JK and VfL Wolfsburg – having met before in UEFA Club competition.

Fond memories
CSKA are the only team in the section who did not enter the group stage as domestic champions, with FC Rubin Kazan having claimed the 2008 Russian title. United may never have played the Army Men before, but they will have fond memories of their likely home arena for this season's European games. The last time Sir Alex Ferguson's men visited the Russian capital they left with the UEFA Champions League trophy, having beaten Chelsea FC on penalties in the 2008 final at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United manager
These are difficult ties, especially the trips to Russia and Turkey. CSKA have developed strongly in the last few years and games in Turkey are always difficult. We also know the quality that we're up against with Wolfsburg, with what they achieved in the Bundesliga last season.

Evgeniy Aldonin, CSKA Moskva midfielder 
I am happy we got Manchester United as I've always wanted to face them. Year on year United are one of the best clubs in Europe – they have been in the last two UEFA Champions League finals. Beşiktaş are a strong team at home and Wolfsburg will be a tough nut to crack as they deservedly won the Bundesliga last season. However, I think we can hold our own against any team and our aim remains the same: we are fighting for a place in the knockout rounds.

Yusuf Şimşek, Beşiktaş midfielder
We, like the other teams, have a real chance of progressing from our group. We have not made the brightest of starts to the league campaign but we haven't lost our strength – we are defending Turkish Super League champions after all. Manchester United are world giants but Beşiktaş have beaten Chelsea in the Champions League before [in 2003]. We have the strength and desire to beat any team in the group.

Armin Veh, Wolfsburg coach
These are surely anything but easy opponents, but it could have been worse when you consider one or two of the other groups we could have been put into when our name was drawn. And I expect most wanted to avoid Wolfsburg as well. Manchester United are not only big favourites in our group but for the Champions League title itself. But we want to qualify for the knockout stage so we have to oust CSKA Moskva and Beşiktaş. Of course, our opponents have much more experience in Europe than we have, but we still hope to make our mark on the Champions League.