Celtic received possibly as favourable a fate as Gordon Strachan could have hoped for in the Champions League draw in Monaco last night when the Scottish champions were placed alongside Manchester United, Villarreal and Aalborg BK in group E.

It means a return to Old Trafford for Strachan and his players, who met Sir Alex Ferguson’s side at the same stage of the 2006-07 competition. On that occasion Celtic lost 3-2 at Old Trafford but then stunned United with a 1-0 win at Celtic Park thanks to Shunsuke Nakamura’s free kick.

Celtic might also fancy their chances against Villarreal, although one look at the players in Manuel Pelle-grini’s squad might swiftly dissolve any complacency in Glasgow. Villarreal finished second in La Liga last season and already have a Champions League semi-final appearance to their name from their 2006-07 campaign.

A quirk of last night’s draw was that three of the four teams in group E are managed by Scotsmen: Strachan at Celtic, Ferguson at United and Bruce Rioch at Aalborg.

“We don’t mess about at Celtic - we’re in the competition so we might as well play the holders of the Champions League,” Strachan said. “Last year we drew AC Milan, who were the holders, and then we faced Barcelona in the last 16. So we don’t mess about at this club. I had a funny feeling that we would get Manchester United. I was down south earlier in the week and I took in their game against Portsmouth. I just had a wee feeling when I was watching that game, so I’ve got my scouting in early.

“Villarreal’s reputation goes before them now: they are a first-class side. Sometimes you meet teams with a lot of history but who aren’t up to much at present, but Villarreal are making their own history now. They are a top side. It’s exciting. It’s another challenge for this group of players and it’s one we relish.”

Peter Lawwell, the Celtic chief executive, was already licking his lips at the prospect of six money-spinning European ties over the next three months. “First and foremost we are in this because it’s the best football competition in the world and it’s a privilege to be a part of it,” Lawwell said. “The financial [aspects] are really important, but the privilege, the profile, and the exposure that playing in this tournament gives you around the world is fantastic.”

Lawwell also said he was quietly optimistic of Celtic getting through to the last 16 for the third season in a row. “It’s a formidable task to qualify but I think we’ve got a good chance,” he said. “If we qualify three years running, it would be a remarkable achievement, and I do genuinely believe we have a chance.

“In United, we again welcome the European champions to Celtic Park. We know them well and we remember the two epic games we played two years ago. They were two great nights so we are really looking forward to it.”