Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has warned European clubs: The Russians are coming.

United take on Uefa Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg in the Super Cup on Friday night, and Fletcher feels there is more to come from Dick Advocaat's side.

The Scot said: "Zenit St Petersburg will fancy themselves to do really well in the Champions League this season. "They are no mugs. There is also a lot of money in the Russian game."

United will learn the first opponents of their Champions League defence on Thursday when the finest clubs on the continent gather for the group stage draw in Monaco.

Although AC Milan are absent, Bayern Munich return. And with Juventus leading a four-strong Italian challenge and Barcelona and Real Madrid taking up their customary places from Spain, familiar opposition seems guaranteed at some stage of the competition for the English quartet.

However, all four could also face Zenit, and having seen them dispose of Rangers at the City of Manchester Stadium last season, Fletcher added: "There are plenty of Brazilian players over there and people generally don't realise how strong a league it is.

"A lot of teams struggle when they go out to Russia, so that gives them a big advantage as well."