Paris St-Germain midfielder Jackie Groenen says she "doesn't agree with the system" of having two "big sides" face each other in the Champions League qualifying rounds.

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Paris St-Germain midfielder Jackie Groenen has questioned the format of the Women's Champions League, which has led to early exits for some of Europe's biggest clubs.

PSG take on debutants Manchester United, Groenen's former side, in the second qualifying round tonight. The first qualifying round brought shock defeats for Arsenal and Juventus.

"I think it is a bit strange - big teams going out in the pre-phase", Groenen told BBC Sport. "I wonder if it's the right way to go."

Only holders Barcelona, plus Lyon, Bayern Munich and Women's Super League champions Chelsea have already automatically qualified for the group stage, which starts in November. The second round of qualifying - played over two legs - will determine the 12 other teams to join them, with two-time winners Wolfsburg in the mix along with two-time runners-up PSG.

The 16-team group stage was introduced in the 2021-22 season, replacing the previous two-leg straight knockout format from the last 32 onwards with groups used only in the qualifying rounds.

"Don't get me wrong, it's always nice to play big games and I think from all the draws we could have had Manchester United was the hardest one we could draw," Groenen said. "On one hand I don't fully agree with the system, but on the other hand I'm excited to play a game with this magnitude and pressure."

Last season's Champions League semi-finalists Arsenal were knocked out in the first qualifying round by Paris FC, while last year Manchester City lost to Real Madrid in qualifying.

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Manchester United will approach tonight's Women's Champions League qualifier as their biggest ever game, says manager Marc Skinner.

United will make their debut in the competition when they host Paris St-Germain at Leigh Sports Village (20:00 BST). The winner of the two-legged second-round tie advances to the group stage.

"We want to be at this stage, we want to continue for our fans and win things for this club," Skinner said on Monday.

Asked if the fixture was the club's biggest ever game, the United boss added: "We will approach it that way with our energy and our commitment, but also if you put it on a mantle it will be too big."

United finished second in the Women's Super League last season, two points behind winners Chelsea - who have already qualified for the group stages along with holders Barcelona, plus Lyon and Bayern Munich.

"I'm under no illusions as to how difficult this is but there's something special about Manchester United and Champions League nights," Skinner said.

"The game is on a pedestal, I don't need to put it up there as it's already there. I want to make sure we perform in it. "I don't want the game to pass us by and us not perform because we've put it somewhere that is out of reach."

This is how the Championship table looks and if it is Wayne Rooney coming into Birmingham then he will join with the club in a great position in the table.

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Birmingham City published a bizarre statement on their decision to sack boss John Eustace yesterday, despite the club being sixth and in the Championship play-offs.

The statement says: "It is essential that the board of directors and the football management are fully aligned on the importance of implementing a winning mentality and a culture of ambition across the entire football club.

"With this in mind, Birmingham City has today parted company with head coach, John Eustace.

"Eustace departs after 15 months in charge, having helped to stabilise and strengthen the club on the pitch following his appointment in July 2022.

"In his first season at the helm, he guided the team to a 17th-place finish, securing Sky Bet Championship status with three games remaining. During his time at St. Andrew’s, he galvanised the squad to deliver a number of memorable moments in testing circumstances.

"The club would like to thank John for his contribution. His dedication and work ethic was evident throughout his time in B9 and he will always be welcomed back to St. Andrew’s.

"A new first team manager will be announced in the coming days who will be responsible for creating an identity and clear ‘no fear’ playing style that all Birmingham City teams will adopt and embrace.

"The club will be issuing no further comment at this time."

Ex-England striker Wayne Rooney is the favourite to come into the Birmingham City job.

A few days ago, the 37-year-old left his role in charge of Washington-based DC United in the Major League Soccer.

This is what he said upon leaving.

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The UK and Republic of Ireland are set to be announced as hosts of the 2028 European Championships at a Uefa meeting in Switzerland.

The five-nation bid is now running unopposed after Turkey withdrew from the process last week.

Turkey merged their Euro 2032 bid with Italy in July and are set to be confirmed as joint-hosts for that tournament. Both bids are running unopposed but still need official approval by Uefa.

"These are exciting times and we have a very compelling Euro 2028 proposal for Uefa," said last week's joint statement from the five national associations of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

"Our bid will be groundbreaking for the men's Euros and will deliver lasting legacies across the whole of the UK and Ireland."

Matches at the 2028 tournament are set to be held at 10 different grounds, including Glasgow's Hampden Park, Cardiff's Principality Stadium, Dublin's Aviva Stadium and Wembley in London.

Belfast's Casement Park and Everton's Bramley-Moore Dock, the former unbuilt while the latter is still under construction, are also included in the bid.

The Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales have never hosted a major tournament.

i Newspaper

The I has some transfer speculation as they say England midfielder Kalvin Phillips is set to leave Manchester City in the January transfer window.

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The Daily Express

The back page of the Daily Express leads off on some quotes from former Liverpool player and manager Graeme Souness, who wants former players to help those making video assistant referee decisions.

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The Guardian

The Guardian says England will be without Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka for the upcoming matches against Australia and Italy.

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The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph says Wayne Rooney is in advanced talks with Birmingham, with former England team-mate Ashley Cole and ex-Manchester United team-mate John O'Shea to be among his backroom staff.

Image source, Daily Telegraph

Wayne Rooney leads the back page of the Daily Star too.

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Daily Mirror

The Mirror leads off on the fact Wayne Rooney is set to become the new Birmingham City manager after the club sacked manager John Eustace.

The 'no fear football' line was from the absurd statement from the club when announcing the dismissal of Eustace, who leaves the club sixth and in the Championship play-offs.

Image source, Daily Mirror

Welcome along to our live page today. We will be hearing from England manager Gareth Southgate this afternoon with the decision on the Euro 2028 hosts expected at about 11:00 BST.

Let's start off with a look at the headlines on the back pages.

Euro 1996 was held in England, Euro 2020 saw England and Scotland among the co-hosts, with Wembley staging the final, and now Euro 2028 is expected to be on these shores too.

A combined bid between England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales is the last one remaining with confirmation of the hosts coming up later this morning.

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