Champions League play-off draw: Manchester United to face Club Brugge and manage to avoid giants Lazio and Monaco

The tie will be played on 18/19 and 25/26 August

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United have avoided the prospect of Lazio and Monaco and will instead face Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off.

Louis van Gaal's side aim to return to European competition after a season away.

The Belgian side Brugge finished 2nd in the Belgian Pro League last season, ending the Championship play-off in second place behind Gent.

Brugge were European Cup runners-up in 1978, losing to Liverpool in the final.

Manchester United club secretary John Alexander said after the draw that he thinks United can win the competition this season: "We're absolutely delighted to be back in the competition. We're back where we want to be.

"Belgian football is right at the very top and we have two Belgian players in the squad who keep us abreast of what's going on there. We go into any game with confidence. We'd like to think we can win the competition."