Ahead of Thursday's final Europa League group stage matchday, Manchester United already know that they will be progressing to the knockout stages of the competition.
Last week's 3-0 victory over Sheriff Tiraspol ensured that United would not be falling into the Europa Conference League this season and instead guaranteed themselves a top two finish in Group E. The Reds travel to Real Sociedad on Thursday knowing anything less than a two-goal victory margin over their La Liga opposition will see them finish second in their group thanks to their opponent's superior goal difference.
Ahead of the crucial tie in San Sebastian, MEN Sport has taken a look at how the Europa League knockout stages work and who the Reds could be playing next.
As mentioned above, to finish top of Group E United must beat Real Sociedad by a margin of two or more goals. Anything less than that will see Erik ten Hag's side finish second.
If the Reds manage to complete this feat they will advance automatically to the round of 16 in this year's competition and they will avoid other teams that finished top of their Europa League groups. Round of 16 fixtures will be played on March 9 before the return leg takes place on March 16.
Should United finish second they will enter the Europa League play-off round. This would see the eight runners-up in the Europa League group stages take on the third-placed sides in the Champions League.
United will be guaranteed of playing the second leg in the play-off stage at home. The play-offs will be played February 16 before the return leg on February 23.
Most notably United could face Ajax in the play-offs should they finish second after they finish behind Napoli and Liverpool in their Champions League group. Other potential play-off opponents include:
old_traford
0
what is this incomplete post..
MACH1000
0
either way there's a good chance they or sociedad will face a big side in R16, so don't sweat it
repbckrsz
1
we want FCB
iftinuvic
0
that will be an ovious fallout for United Feel pity for Ronaldo he still Finnish this season without atrophy
how are you sure arsenal will anything this season fill petty for you guys
Los_Diablos_Rojos
3
I want United play-off to be drawn with Barcelona or Juventus.
NkaluboAshiraf
1
that will be an ovious fallout for United Feel pity for Ronaldo he still Finnish this season without atrophy
DNG_Khartel
0
They already know that Man utd will loose that match 😂
Nizcnpy
4
Don’t start what u can’t finish, nonsense
Mawsor09
1
Af you're high and fack you bs media
luoclnpu
3
AF,,,,,, include and then nothing else...... do your job well. you only have 1 thing to do and you are doing nonsense. just copy n paste without even reading.