Man United are playing in one of six UCL fixtures on a Thursday – Here’s why

There's a simple reason for it

That’s because the Champions League continues with six games taking place this evening 10 September 10).

When we think of the Champions League, we’re reminded of those dramatic Tuesday and Wednesday nights, which for a long time were a traditional part of the competition (along with the 19:45 kick off times).

Therefore, UCL nights on a Thursday are a less familiar sight, especially for the Champions League audiences who grew up loving the competition.

Why Thursdays are now also UCL evenings:

UEFA has decided that the first week of the Champions League should be exclusive to the competition.

That means that the less prestigious competitions, the Europa League and Conference League, will have no fixtures.

Meanwhile, next week is the exclusive one for the Europa League, with fixtures taking place on Wednesday, September 16 (also an unusual day for the competition) and Thursday, September 17.

But don’t you worry, as the Champions League will revert back to its usual schedule with games staged across Tuesdays and Wednesdays, after the exclusive first week.

In the same vein, from the second matchday onwards, the Europa League will also return to its Thursday night programme.

The Champions League Thursday night at Old Trafford

Amongst the teams playing UCL football tonight (10 September) are Manchester United, who are hosting Azerbaijani side Sabah.

Meanwhile, six-time European champions Bayern Munich welcome last season’s surprise package Bodo/Glimt to the Allianz Arena.

Como who are led by Premier League legend Cesc Fabregas and are debutants in the competition play German side RB Leipzig.

Thursday night’s Champions League fixtures in full

(5.45pm kick-off)

Fenerbahce vs Roma
PSV vs Shakhtar Donetsk

(8pm kick-off)

Bayern vs Bodo/Glimt
Slavia Praha vs Lens
Como vs RB Leipzig
Man Utd vs Sabah