Manchester United Face Powerful Take a look at In Europa League Play-Offs As Champions League Dropouts Barcelona, Juventus, Ajax Await

Manchester United concluded their Europa League group stage marketing campaign with a slender 1-0 win over Actual Sociedad as academy starlet Alejandro Garnacho scored his debut aim for the Pink Devils. Nevertheless, United failed to search out one other aim for a two-goal victory which might have received them their Group E, and keep away from an additional two-legged play-off towards one of many Champions League dropouts to succeed in the Spherical of 16.

However as issues stand, Erik ten Hag’s group must contest a play-off towards the heavyweights who fell from the elite European competitors. The 2-legged affair will additional tighten up United’s calendar, which already has turn into hectic because the FIFA World Cup subsequent month, which for the primary time within the historical past will held mid-season.

Difficult path forward for Manchester United in Europe

The Champions League has by no means did not shock the followers, as this time round as properly lots of the ‘massive sharks’ have fallen down after ending third of their respective teams. Probably the most notable one in every of them needs to be FC Barcelona, who’ve been relegated to Europa League for a second consecutive season for the primary time of their historical past. Different giants in Juventus, Ajax, Bayer Leverkusen, Pink Bull Salzburg, Sevilla, Shakhtar Donetsk and Sporting CP be part of the Catalans.

Since there’s no English membership amongst the lot which has been demoted, Manchester United are open to going through any of the 8 groups within the play-offs. However a tie towards Xavi’s Barcelona shall be a litmus check for Ten Hag and his males because the Spaniards, regardless of failing to succeed in the Champions League knockouts are enjoying some good soccer.

A tie towards Juventus will se Cristiano Ronaldo reunited along with his former employers, for whom he netted a large 101 objectives in 134 appearances throughout three seasons, earlier than re-joining United. The Outdated Woman has been the frustration of the season, as Max Allegri and males might solely handle one win in six group video games within the Champions League. Although low on morale, Juventus confirmed indicators of enhancements of their penultimate group fixture towards PSG.

Erik ten Hag might additionally face his former membership Ajax, if his new membership Manchester United is drawn towards the Dutch champions. Nevertheless, Ten Hag shall be pained to see his ex-club in Europa, as they crashed out of the Champions League within the group stage of their first season into the ‘post-Ten Hag period’. He would definitely hate to pile extra distress on them knocking them out of the play-offs, however his present job calls for the identical.

Then again, Manchester United might comparatively have it simpler if pitted towards both of Sporting CP, Sevilla, Bayer Leverkusen, Pink Bull Salzburg or Shakhtar Donetsk. Whereas it received’t be a cakewalk for the Devils, the prospect of getting ousted within the play-off itself towards Barca, Juve or Ajax is way larger than towards the opposite 5.

Manchester United will get to know their play-off opponents on November, 7  when the draw takes place in Nyon, Switzerland, and the 2 legs slated to be performed on February 16 and 23, 2023.