MANCHESTER UNITED fans have slammed the Europa League draw as “rigged” after discovering their path to the final.
The Red Devils and fellow Premier League side Tottenham were placed in a pair for the draw after finishing third and fourth respectively in the league phase.
After the play-off round, the English clubs were partnered with potential opponents Real Sociedad and AZ Alkmaar.
Today’s draw revealed that United got the harder last-16 tie and will play the Spanish side as Spurs go head-to-head with the Dutch club.
If United beat Real Sociedad, they will face either French outfit Lyon or head back to Romania to play FCSB, who they met in the league phase.
Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, Rangers, Roma or Athletic Bilbao await in the semi-final.
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Fans have slammed the draw as “rigged” and on facing Real Sociedad instead of AZ, supporters complained “it had to be them”.
Others said: “We are finished.”
More commented: “It was fun while it lasted, let’s focus on the FA Cup.”
It is a tough draw for United as Real Sociedad pose the joint-third best defence in LaLiga.
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But they have the advantage of playing the second leg at Old Trafford on March 13 after heading to San Sebastian on March 6.
Lyon are the favourites to win their last-16 clash against FCSB and they showed their class in the league phase, only losing the last of eight matches which was a dead rubber.
On the other side of the draw, Spurs will face either Ajax or Eintracht Frankfurt should they beat AZ.
Bodo/Glimt, Olympiakos, Viktoria Plzen and Lazio are their possible semi-final opponents.
It means a United vs Spurs final is a possibility.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
