The draw for the UEFA Europa League occurred in Monaco this afternoon, with Manchester United discovering their faith in the new-look format.
Erik ten Hag’s side faces some interesting ties, with a home fixture against Scottish giants Rangers and trips to two-time winners FC Porto and Jose Mourino’s Fenerbahce.
United are amongst the favourites to lift the trophy in the San Mames stadium in May, with the Old Trafford faithful hoping to mirror their 2016 -17 success.
But, with eight different opponents to face across an initial league format, the nature of competition will supply an unknown variable across an already congested domestic campaign.
Understanding the draw
| Home | Away |
| Rangers | Porto |
| PAOK | Fenerbahce |
| FK Bodo/Glimt | Viktoria Plzen |
| FC Twente | FCSB |
UEFA has launched their latest iteration of the competition to introduce a more dynamic and unique contest from the opening whistle.
The format, they say, has been set to promise more entertaining fixtures to enhance the spectacle for every spectator.
With a new 36-team league phase, the more familiar styling of a cup feel is replaced, with computer AI selecting the opposition for each team with the touch of a button.
United were placed in pot one alongside the eight other highest-seeded teams – cascading down to the fourth and final group.
The draw ensured that clubs from the same national association could not face each other, with sides drawn against no more than two teams from the same association.
As the competition now embodies the same dynamic as a mini-league, each goal will count and ultimately hold a consequence to the final standings and qualification.
Ten Hag will aim to enjoy a strong run in the competition, with eyes on a Spanish final very much a priority for the Dutchman.
All fixtures will get underway the week of Wednesday, 25 September, with midweek trips to Turkey, the Czech Republic and Romania supplying a taste of what is to come.
How do you feel about the Europa League draw and the abundance of changes we have witnessed?
Let us know in the comments or across our social channels.
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