MANCHESTER UNITED beat Real Sociedad to qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League.
But the Red Devils failed to win their final group game by two or more goals, meaning they finished Group E in second place.
Because of their second place finish, United will have to wait before playing at the last-16 stage of the competition.
The Red Devils will have to play in the knockout round play-off, which is essentially a new-look round of 32.
In the knockout round play-off, the eight teams who finished second in their Europa League groups will play the eight teams who finished third in their Champions League groups.
And the winners will go on to the Europa League last 16, with the ties to be played over two legs.
Who could Man Utd face in the knockout round play-off?
Let’s just say United’s final result against Sociedad has made things harder for them.
Ten Hag’s men now have the unenviable task of having to play Champions League-quality sides for a place in the last-16 of Europe’s secondary competition.
The eight teams that were knocked out of the Champions League after finishing third were:
- Barcelona
- Ajax
- Sevilla
- Juventus
- Bayer Leverkusen
- RB Salzburg
- Shakhtar Donetsk
- Sporting Lisbon
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United will be looking to avoid a tie with Barcelona or Juventus, though the two sides have struggled for form this year.
Ties with both RB Salzburg and Sevilla could also been seen as tricky affairs.
And Ten Hag may even have to see in a reunion with old side Ajax, who were in a group with Liverpool, Napoli and Rangers.
The draw will be held on Monday, November 7.
Ties for the knockout round play-off will take place on February 16 & 23.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
