UCL GROUP GUIDE: Man City to defend crown, Bellingham with Blancos to 15th title

The Champions League is back for another season as Europe's elite prepare to battle it out on the biggest stage in club football.

Manchester City are out to retain their status as European champions, while cross-city rivals United face a daunting curtain-raiser against Bayern Munich.

Arsenal return to the Champions League following a six-year absence and Newcastle rejoin the top table for the first time since 2003 as they look to qualify from the toughest group of the lot.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid are searching for a 15th European title and will be spurred on by Jude Bellingham as he prepares for his first Champions League outing at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Mail Sport analyses every team below in our ultimate guide to the Champions League group stage.

Group A - Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Copenhagen, Galatasaray

Massive names with Champions League pedigree occupy group A with Bayern Munich and Manchester United the heavy-hitters hoping to pave their way to the next round.

United are back in Europe's most prestigious cup competition and are determined to make it to the latter stages of the tournament, even if their worrying Premier League form could spell an early exit.

Bayern - led by Harry Kane - are expected to sail through the group stage and will fancy their chances of topping the pool given their history in the competition that saw them make it to the quarter-finals last year before being knocked out by Manchester City.

Erik ten Hag is under pressure for the first time in his managerial tenure at United and could find himself in an untenable position if the English giants crash out in the first round, however, they should have enough to get the better of Copenhagen and Galatasaray even if they lose to Bayern.

Reigning