Euro rivals: Dynamo Kiev

Who: Dynamo Kiev
Where: Ukraine
Are they any good? In 16 seasons of the Ukrainian Championship, Dynamo have won the title 12 times, and have never finished outside the top two. So they're not familiar with defeat.

Last week's Champions League draw pitted United against AS Roma, Sporting Lisbon and Dynamo Kiev. This week, ManUtd.com profiles the three teams standing between the Reds and a place in the knockout stages. Wrap up warm, we're off to Kiev first...

Stadium: The Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium holds 16,888 people. Plans have been approved for an extension to a 30,000 capacity but, for now, the majority of the stadium remains roofless. Better dust off those Cossack hats if you're thinking of making the trip.

Manager: Former USSR international winger Anatoliy Demyanenko wrestled the Ukrainian Championship back from Shakthar Donetsk last season without losing a single game. Amazingly, having lost one domestic match in two years, the coach is under pressure. "It would be wrong to fire a coach who has clinched the national cup and the Ukrainian league," said club president Ihor Surkis. "However, Demyanenko will not have the right to make any mistakes in the forthcoming Champions League. I hope he understands that."

Star men: Brazilian playmaker Diogo Rincon is the man who makes Dynamo tick, although big things are expected of compatriot Carlos Correa in his second season at the club. Uzbek striker Maksim Shatskikh shares the record for the most goals (22) scored in a single Ukrainian Premier League season with veteran star Serhiy Rebrov, who is back at his old stamping ground after failed spells with Tottenham, Fenerbahce and West Ham.

Last season in Europe: Dynamo started badly and rarely improved. A 4-1 home defeat to Steaua Bucharest was followed by a 5-1 drubbing at Real Madrid and back-to-back defeats against Lyon. Draws against Bucharest and Madrid were too little, too late.

Last time we met: November 18, 2000. Away defeats to PSV Eindhoven and Anderlecht left United in need of a final day victory to qualify from Group G against rock-bottom Kiev. As it was, Teddy Sheringham’s scruffy 18th-minute goal did the trick, but a shocking late miss from George Demetradze had Old Trafford grinding its collective teeth.