Moyes under the gun

DAVID Moyes's experience in the Champions League amounts to two qualifying matches back in 2005, when he was the manager of Everton. He lost both games.

Moyes's pedigree in Europe is therefore under scrutiny as he makes his return to the competition eight years later at the helm of Manchester United.

And he is unlikely to be given an easy ride in the group stage after United was pitted with Bayer Leverkusen, Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Sociedad.

Moyes called predecessor Alex Ferguson after last month's draw and was handed a grim assessment by a man who won Europe's top prize twice - in 1999 and 2008 - in his near-27 years at Old Trafford.

"He said he thinks it's one of the hardest draws United have ever had in the Champions League," Moyes said.

"If that's coming from him, it must be tough."

United open their Group A campaign at home to in-form Leverkusen tonight, when Shakhtar - eliminated in the last 16 last season - travel to Sociedad.

The English champions are favoured to top the group, but their start to Moyes's first season in charge has been underwhelming.

After picking up four points from their opening three games for the team's worst start to a Premier League campaign in five years, United toiled on Saturday to a 2-0 win over promoted Crystal Palace, who played with more than half of the game with 10 men.

But Moyes did see both Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney get on the scoresheet against Palace. And with Rooney back in action after a head injury and getting closer to full fitness, opponents should be fearful of United's front two.

"The hope is that we get a partnership where folk are saying, 'My goodness, we are having to play against Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney'," Moyes said.

"Everybody is looking to see if those two form a partnership that can score lots of goals."

Leverkusen have never won in England in eight attempts but have started the German league season with four wins from five matches, and in Sami Hyypia have a coach who knows United well.

Hyypia spent 10 years in the Premier League with Liverpool, winning the Champions League with the club in 2005.

"We shouldn't go out with too much respect," the former Finland defender said.

"I hope my players don't just look around at a stadium rich in history and get autographs from Rooney.

"They do have a new coach, but they play the same football. Man United are a great team. They won everything in the last 10 years. But to give up already before the game, I won't do that.

"Otherwise we could send out our second team," Hyypia said.

Leverkusen beat United in the Champions League semifinals in 2002 on the away-goals rule, then lost to Real Madrid in the final.

Manchester City take on Czech champions Viktoria Pilsen, who are looking to add City to their collection of beaten giants when the two teams clash in their Group D opener tonight .

Big-spending City, sitting fourth in the Premier League with seven points from four games, owe their fans some Champions League success after failing to get past the group stage in the last two seasons. - Sapa-AP