There was work for Manchester United to do in Bucharest to spherical off a profitable Europa League league part, and their 2-0 victory over FCSB on Thursday noticed them climb as much as third within the desk.
United’s environment friendly work within the Romanian capital means they ended the primary part of the competitors as the one unbeaten group and have been rewarded by having February off. Their automated development into the spherical of 16 means they are not in Europa League motion once more till March.
UEFA’s format adjustments and the obvious necessity to provide attracts of some kind means we already know who United may play within the subsequent part of the competitors after 16 groups battle it out to progress from the knockout play-off spherical.
Listed below are the 4 groups the Crimson Devils may face within the Europa League spherical of 16.
A 3rd-place end means United will tackle both Actual Sociedad, Galatasaray, AZ Alkmaar or Midtjylland within the final 16.
United are accustomed to La Actual having confronted them within the group stage of this competitors two seasons in the past. The La Liga aspect completed thirteenth within the league part desk after profitable three of their remaining 4 fixtures. Spanish outfits are laden with Europa League pedigree, though the Basque aspect have struggled domestically this time period.
Galatasaray are unbeaten within the Turkish Tremendous Lig and could be stern opposition over two legs given how powerful they’re to beat in Istanbul. United did not beat Gala throughout their two Champions League group stage matches final season.
AZ and Midtjylland usually are not as illustrious, however neither must be taken frivolously. The latter are competing fiercely with Copenhagen for the Danish Superliga, whereas AZ beat the likes of Roma and Fenerbahce to qualify for the play-offs.
Friday’s knockout spherical play-off draw noticed AZ draw Galatasaray and Midtjylland paired with Actual Sociedad. The winners of those two ties will face Man Utd or Tottenham Hotspur within the spherical of 16.
The play-off video games will happen on 13 and 20 February, with the draw for the spherical of 16 happening within the aftermath. The draw, set to be held at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, is scheduled for noon (GMT) on Friday 21 February.
United’s path to the Bilbao last can even be mapped out.
There’s respite for the Crimson Devils in February, and the membership will be capable of register any new signings in time for the knockout levels.
The primary legs of the spherical of 16 ties are pencilled in for 6 March, with the return legs happening per week afterward 13 March. As United might be seeded for the draw, they’re going to host the second leg at Outdated Trafford.
