Eight years after his false start with Everton, David Moyes steps into the glare of Champions League combat on Tuesday night as Manchester United open their campaign against Bayer Leverkusen at Old Trafford.
Moyes has been desperate to experience the pinnacle of European club football, so much so it was assumed he would leave Goodison Park in the summer before United made their move.
Finally, 15 years after stepping into management with Preston, the Scot gets his chance.
"I am really looking forward to the Champions League," said Moyes.
"I have been there with Everton but we didn't quite make the group stages.
"This is something different. I'm now managing a club which is used to getting close to the final stages and I will try and do that again."
United's European history stands comparison with the very best clubs in the world.
The Red Devils may not have won the trophy as many times as Real Madrid, AC Milan or even Liverpool, but through the Munich disaster to last season's controversial exit, European combat is woven right into the entire construction of United as a club.
And if Moyes needed any reminding, he took a visit from Sir Bobby Charlton in the early days of his reign.
"It was a really important moment for me when Sir Bobby said he wanted to see me in my office," he said.
Source: PA
