Manchester United returns to the one competition where it is riding high when the Champions League resumes this week.

The defending Premier League champion is only sixth in England despite winning at Fulham on Saturday — eight points behind leader Arsenal.

But in Europe, United is top of Group A, a point ahead of Bayer Leverkusen and three in front of Shakhtar Donetsk, while Tuesday's opponent, Real Sociedad, is stranded at the bottom without a point.

Here are 5 things to know ahead of Tuesday's matches:

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ROONEY ROARING

Wayne Rooney seems to have emerged from his summer transfer window dispute with Manchester United without any lingering bitterness. And once again, the England striker is back where he wants to be: at the heart of the attack. He has scored in each of United's last two league games and the champions have won both.

"He is a big leader in the team and desperate for the team to be successful," United manager David Moyes said. "Obviously, having a successful team helps him as well. He has got leadership qualities."

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NEW FACE

Adnan Januzaj was initially registered in United's UEFA Youth League squad for this season, a clear indication of where he fit into Moyes' plans. Since then, the 18-year-old Belgium-born midfielder has emerged as one of the Premier League's most precocious talents, and is in line to make his Champions League debut.

"We're trying to bring the boy along at the right pace if we can," Moyes said. "He's not tired and we've not seen any dips in form just now so I'm sure we'll continue using him and he'll definitely be in and around the squad."

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ON THE BRINK

Sociedad is hosting an English side for the first time since Liverpool visited in 1975 in the UEFA Cup. Failing to beat United would end Sociedad's Champions League campaign with two games to go.

Despite a third straight European loss at United last month, things have been on the up for the Basque club since returning from Old Trafford. The team is on a three-game unbeaten run, and Antoine Griezmann is in fine form up front, scoring five goals in his last three league games.

"We're playing well, with attitude, we're finding our right level so we can make it difficult for Manchester," Griezmann said. "Until we don't have any more options left, we'll give it our all."

A draw could keep Sociedad's hopes alive — if Shakhtar Donetsk does not lose to Bayer Leverkusen.

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ONE ROTATION TOO MANY

With a key Champions League match looming, Bayer Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia felt confident resting half of his regular starters for Saturday's match at Eintracht Braunschweig, the Bundesliga's bottom club. It backfired, with a 1-0 loss leaving Leverkusen third, four points behind leader Bayern Munich.

"We are mentally strong enough (to overcome the loss)," defender Roberto Hilbert said. "We've closed our ranks. We want to win in Donetsk."

With six players likely to return to the team, that's more than possible.

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SHAKHTAR'S WOES

The group stage began brightly for Shakhtar with a win at Sociedad and a draw against United. But a 4-0 loss at Leverkusen has left the team needing to beat German opposition at home for the first time since the 1980 UEFA Cup to boost its chances of reaching the knockout phase. A win would all but guarantee Leverkusen a spot in the last 16.