Winning the Europa League has become somewhat of a necessity for Manchester United this year as they seek to salvage what has been a bitterly disappointing campaign.
Any hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top four were extinguished months ago but United do still have a route to next season’s Champions League, and the riches that come with it, if they can get their hands on Europe’s secondary trophy.
After Friday’s draw for the last 16, here’s United’s path to the final.
Things will get off to a tough start for United, who face a battle with La Liga’s Real Sociedad in the last 16.
Like United, La Real are enduring a disappointing domestic campaign of their own, but Imanol Alguacil’s side remain an incredibly dangerous outfit when they get going. This will not be easy for Ruben Amorim’s team.
After a poor start to the season, Lyon have slowly started to figure themselves out and the French side will back themselves to get through their last-16 tie against FCSB, the Romanian league leaders who United beat 2-0 in the league phase.
Lyon are powered by the goals of former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette but it’s the young attacking duo of Malick Fofana and Rayan Cherki who United need to be aware of.
There are plenty of intriguing ties available to United if they reach the semi-final, including a meeting with one of the pre-tournament favourites, Roma, who themselves face a tough battle to get through Athletic Club in their own last-16 tie.
On the other side of this draw, Scottish giants Rangers are battling to real the final four but must first get through a Fenerbahce side led by former United boss Jose Mourinho.
The only time an all-English tie is possible in this season’s Europa League knockouts is in the final, where Tottenham Hotspur will hope to do exactly what United are attempting to do – snatch an unlikely spot in next season’s Champions League.
Ajax, Eintracht Frankfurt and Lazio are among the biggest names also battling for this spot in the showpiece fixture, facing further competition from Olympiacos, AZ Alkmaar, Viktoria Plzen and Bodo/Glimt.
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