New Champions League format explained and what it means for Man City and Manchester United

Manchester City and Manchester United have competed this season in the last Champions League under the current format.

Modern-day fans have become accustomed to UEFA's model which sees teams split into groups of four with the top two qualifying for the knockout stages and third place heading into the Europa League play-offs. From there, the two qualifiers compete in two-legged knockout rounds before the winners are decided in a one-off final.

However, from next season that is all going to change as UEFA adopts a Swiss League format for the elite European competition. But what does that mean for the Manchester clubs and how will it work? MEN Sport has taken a look.

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From the 2024/25 season onwards, the Champions League proper will see 36 teams compete for the trophy instead of the current 32. Instead of the current group stages, UEFA will introduce the 'Champions League phase' which shall see all 36 clubs compete in a single league.

Teams shall play eight fixtures in the league phase with each match being against a different opponent rather than facing the same three teams twice. Four of these matches will be at home and four shall be away.

The teams will initially be ranked in four seeding pots to determine the eight opponents. Each team will then be drawn to play two opponents from each of these pots, playing one match against a team from each pot at home, and one away.

Two teams shall qualify if they finish fifth in their division and their country is in the top two of the UEFA co-efficient rankings. These rankings are based on how each nation's clubs do in the three European