A surprising commonality among the 6 Premier League clubs that reached the Champions League round of 16

English football is having a standout season in the 2025/26 Champions League, with six representatives making it to the round of 16. However, the most interesting aspect is what these six clubs have in common.

All six English teams in this season’s Champions League round of 16 have lost to... Man United

Behind the impressive achievements of English football in this Champions League season lies an intriguing detail: all six teams have suffered defeat against Man United in their most recent Premier League encounters this season.

Under the new Champions League format, the top eight teams from the qualifying phase advance directly to the round of 16. The Premier League dominates with five teams securing direct qualification: Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Manchester City. These clubs consistently maintained strong form throughout the group stage, thus avoiding the risky play-off round.