Why United must be in full Bloom

THE Champions League can be a contradiction. From the elite of Europe like Barcelona where opponents take part in awe confronted by royalty and faint hope, to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise which presents a genuine opportunity to strike success.

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One represents charisma, influence and romance, the other little in terms of global history. This is Union's Champions League debut. Facts are undeniable however harsh.

So we move on from faint hope to real hope. If Newcastle are to progress and triumph away from their Barrack Road base then this is as good an opportunity as any they are going to get, even if Belgium's champions began with a resounding and perhaps surprising 3-1 away victory at PSV Eindhoven, admittedly not the most fearsome of opposition.

Sure, it has to be admitted - Union are in form and we're not. While we cannot buy a victory in the PL they are in full bloom... not only after a Champions League-winning debut but standing top of the Belgian Pro League unbeaten and with considerable daylight between them and the chasing pack.

However it is universally recognised that Belgian domestic football is quite a few significant steps down from the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Italy’s Serie A in stature. A sense of proportion is required before anyone gets scared!

While United aren't exactly regulars at Euro’s most exclusive banquet, Union are the new boys who owe their emergence toa Brit.

After a long decline that saw the club fall as low as the fourth tier of Belgian football, Union experienced a resurgence in the 2020s following a takeover by Tony Bloom who has done so much to catapult Brighton to deserved recognition.