Bayern Munich buoyed by £17m boost as struggling Man Utd arrive for Champions League action

Manchester United will face a Bayern Munich side buoyed by freedom from a £17 million cash drain in the Champions League Group Stage tonight.

The Red Devils are in Germany to kick off this season's European campaign and their opponents have had a busy week off the pitch in the run-up to Wednesday evening's Group A meeting.

Bayern are currently managed by former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss Thoams Tuchel having sacked Julian Nagelsmann last season. Despite Nagelsmann being removed from the role, he was still on the books at the German giants and taking home a wage with Bayern able to demand a fee from any side wanting to take him on.

Should Nagelsmann have stayed on his contract, it is reported that he would have cost the club a huge £17 million until 2026. Now, his contract is set to be terminated to free the boss up to take on the German national role.

German outlet BILD report that the 36-year-old has agreed to let the £17 million in wages go to take charge of Die Mannschaft. He is expected to earn £3.5 million for managing the national side until after the Euros next summer.

Germany have been in poor form leading up to the competition, with some suggesting the side might not have qualified if not for the automatic place as hosts. Earlier this month Hansi Flick was booted out the job after an embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Japan, paving the way for Nagelsmann's return to work.

Players have likened the incoming Germany boss to under-fire Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. Bayern defender Matthijs de Light, who played under ten Hag at Ajax, said: "He [Nagelsmann] is a coach who talks to the players a lot. His training exercises are similar to Erik ten Hag, my former coach at Ajax. I feel like I’m getting a little bit better with him every day.”

Manchester United kick-off against Bayern Munich in the Champions League at 8 pm tonight.