It’s been a decade since Manchester United failed to make the knockout stage of the Champions League.

It could happen again, which would be a financial blow – and an embarrassment – for one of the world’s biggest clubs.

The final three places in the 16-team knockout stage will be decided today, and United is the most famous club on the brink.

The last time Manchester United was ousted from the group stage was 1994-95. In ‘95-’96, United failed to qualify for the competition. Since then, the club has reached the knockout stage nine straight times, and won the title in 1999.

Manager Alex Ferguson is trying to sound upbeat with his club needing a victory today at Benfica to ensure it advances.

“I don’t even think of not qualifying,” Ferguson said. “We’ll get through the group stage, don’t worry about that. People outside the club are loving this situation, I’m sure. We just have to do our job.

“My team thrives on challenges like this and it helps that we have experienced players coming back. It doesn’t matter whether we win the group – the only thing that matters is that we qualify.”

Manchester United’s Group D is wide open.

In today’s games, Villarreal are at home against Lille, and Man United play at Benfica. Villarreal lead with seven points followed by Lille and Man U with six, and Benfica with five.

Manchester United can guarantee itself a place in the final 16 with a victory in Portugal. A loss will eliminate Man United. If Man United draws, it could advance – but could be eliminated – depending on the result in Villarreal vs. Lille.

Villarreal or Lille will also make the final 16 with a victory.

One more place will come from Group C. Barcelona have already won the group, and Udinese can claim second place with at least a draw in their home game against Barca.

If Udinese lose, Bremen can claim second place with a victory at home against Panathinaikos. Anything less, and Udinese will take second place no matter what it does against Barca.

Barcelona have 13 points followed by Udinese with seven. Panathinaikos and Bremen have four.

The top two places in Groups A and B are already decided.

Bayern Munich and Juventus both have 12 points in Group A, far ahead of third-place Brugge with six. Juventus plays at Rapid Vienna today, and Bayern play at Brugge.

If both Bayern and Juventus win, the teams are likely to be tied on each of the tiebreaking criterion. Going into today’s games, Bayern hold a one-goal edge on Juventus on goal difference.

In Group B, Arsenal have already won the group, and Ajax have second place. Those two face each other at Highbury.