MANCHESTER UNITED could face a tricky Europa League group – including a tough trip to France for Erik ten Hag’s struggling stars.
The Red Devils will be desperate to find their best form before long – and some European wins could bring much-needed confidence.
But the draw on Friday will reveal who United must get past – with some dangerous teams in the competition.
Manchester United – runners-up to Villarreal in 2021 – will be in Pot 1 as one of the heavyweights.
They will be joined by fellow Premier League side Arsenal, Lazio, Braga, Red Star Belgrade, Dynamo Kyiv and Olympiacos as well as Europa Conference League winners Roma, managed by their old boss Jose Mourinho.
The worst-case scenario for United would see them draw PSV – one of the sides to drop down from Champions League qualifying.
PSV are joined by Rennes as well as Monaco, Real Sociedad and Feyenoord in Pot 2.
Monaco finished third last season in Ligue 1 and were knocked out of Champions League qualifying by PSV Eindhoven.
They are one of the strongest sides in Pot 2 – even though they have lost superstar midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni in an £85million transfer to Champions League winners Real Madrid this summer.
This week’s play-offs have confirmed the remaining teams who will compete in the 32-club group stages.
Europa League draw pots
Pot 1: Roma, Man Utd, Arsenal, Lazio, Braga, Red Star Belgrade, Dynamo Kyiv, Olympiacos
Pot 2: Feynoord, PSV, Rennes, Monaco, Real Sociedad, Qarabag, Malmo, Ludogorets
Pot 3: Real Betis, Midtjylland, Bodo/Glimt, Ferencvaros, Union Berlin, SC Freiburg, Fenerbahce
Pot 4: Nantes, HJK, Sturm Graz, AEK Larnaca, Omonia, Zurich, Union Saint-Gilloise, Trabzonspor
Most read in Europa League
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
United may be drawn in the same group as Sturm Graz, the minnows who finished second in the Austrian Bundesliga last season.
Graz is the country’s second-largest city and is the birthplace of bodybuilder-turn-actor-turn-politician Schwarzenegger.
But it is United who could benefit from his power and strength if they want to outmuscle their way to Europa League glory.
Belgian runners-up Union Saint-Gilloise are in Pot 4 due to their tiny Uefa coefficient.
The sister-club of Brighton are making their debut in a Uefa competition after being pipped by Club Brugge in the Jupiler Pro League play-offs.
However, the teams from Pot 3 and Pot 4 Ten Hag will be hoping to avoid include Real Betis and Union Berlin.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
