MANCHESTER UNITED were left devastated after crashing out of the Champions League in the group stage – but there is cause for some celebration.
After all, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Co now have a much greater chance of silverware come the end of the season.
Man Utd have the most chance of winning the Europa League this season, says a supercomputer
Man Utd are the favourites to win the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League groupCredit: EPA
In fact, a supercomputer has tipped United to WIN the Europa League this term.
The Red Devils can feel somewhat hard done by after being drawn against LaLiga high-fliers Real Sociedad in the last-32 after finishing third in their Champions League group.
But FiveThirtyEight has crunched the numbers and given Man Utd an 11 per cent chance of winning the Europa League, which they last won in 2016-17.
That’s higher than any of the other 31 teams left in the competition.
Incredibly, the supercomputer believes whichever team wins the last-32 tie between United and Sociedad will go on to lift the trophy.
The Spaniards are the current second favourites with an eight per cent shot of going all the way.
Elsewhere, there’s plenty of good news for other Premier League clubs.
Leicester and Arsenal – losing finalists in 2019 – both have a seven per cent shot of winning Europe’s second tier competition.
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Man Utd won the Europa League as recently as the 2016-17 seasonCredit: AFP – Getty
Arsenal are joint-third-favourites to win this season’s Europa LeagueCredit: AFP or licensors
The English duo are level-third-favourites, behind only United and Sociedad.
Napoli also have a seven per cent chance of winning the title, narrowly above Tottenham (six per cent).
Bayer Leverkusen, RB Salzburg and Roma all also have a six per cent chance of winning what appears to be a hotly-contested tournament this season.
The likes of Ajax, AC Milan, Villarreal and Lille – all huge European clubs – all harbour a four or five per cent chance of winning what should be an enthralling competition.
Runaway Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers sit further down with a two per cent chance of winning.
But spare a thought for Tottenham’s last-32 opponents – Austrian minnows Wolfsberger.
They’re not only one of 12 clubs with a less-than one per cent chance of lifting the trophy, but are also the only team to have a fraction of one per cent’s shot of even reaching the semis.
Incredibly, Wolfsberger have as good a chance – 11 per cent – of getting past Tottenham to reach the last-16 as United do of winning the whole thing.
Man Utd get horror draw against La Liga high-flyers Real Sociedad as Arsenal face Benfica and Spurs take on Wolfsberger
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
