Gerardo Vermaelen and Dimitar Berbatov

With the news that both Arsenal and Bayern Munich will be in London on April 17, one can safely assume that Manchester United will not be in the mix. There is currently speculation that Louis van Gaal will give his team a break, however, in a bid to recharge his batteries. Manchester United will travel to Liverpool for the Europa League first leg on April 5, but will get the break right away. Having a three-day break from training on Saturday, April 4, will allow Van Gaal to recharge his batteries.

Sergio Ramos, who has missed Real Madrid’s last 10 league games with a long-standing hamstring problem, will be fit for the clash in London. The former Bayern Munich defender will only be a doubt during the second leg, with the start of the Europa League second leg on April 7.

Marc-André ter Stegen will be available after missing the game on Wednesday after getting his ankle caught in the Chelsea 1-1 draw with Liverpool, but the Belgium international will be a doubt for the Champions League semi-final second leg.

Arsene Wenger’s side also won’t be missing the European Championship in his hometown of Paris in May for the first time since 1967 as he looks forward to the opportunity to take on Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. Wenger’s side will also be missing Laurent Koscielny as he is suspended for two FA Cup ties.

Manchester United manager Van Gaal will also have a busy weekend, after meeting his club’s rivals with Arsenal on April 10, Real Madrid on April 11 and Liverpool on April 14. Van Gaal will have a squad from which to make decisions, with several players suspended for the first leg against Chelsea.

Mouaz Moustakas will be absent and could miss the second leg against Chelsea. However, Jose Mourinho’s side have confirmed that a decision has been made with regards to his participation. The interim Portuguese boss has asked for a medical before giving his side a decision. The first leg against Arsenal could be played between April 5 and 7 as Mourinho could put on a Manchester United clinic before the Champions League semi-finals.

Arsene Wenger has an extra day off to assess the squad and potentially prepare for a European campaign with Manchester United.

What is the Champions League third qualifying round?

For the last three years the qualifying rounds have consisted of three teams, the two winners