Manchester United best and worst route to Europa League glory after draw confirmed

Manchester United's Europa League fate has been set after the draw was conducted by UEFA on Friday.

United's European journey this season has been a welcome distraction from the trauma that has been the Premier League. They are currently unbeaten in the competition and hold an advantage in the round of 16 by having the all-important second leg played at Old Trafford.

Their opponents in the first knockout stage are La Liga team Real Sociedad - who breezed past Danish outfit FC Midtjylland 7-3 on aggregate last night. The Reds have arguably been drawn in the hardest half of the draw - and The Manchester Evening News has taken a closer look at the best and worst routes available for Ruben Amorim if they are to go on and win the Europa League this season.

Best route to glory

Quarter-finals - FCSB

United were too good for FCSB when they met in the final league phase fixture. The Romanian club were carved open on a number of occasions by a Reds team that have struggled for goals, so you would see Amorim's side as favourites if they met in the last eight.

Semi-finals - Rangers

No team who United could play in the last-four would be considered as "easy" opponents. Rangers or perhaps the easiest considering Amorim already knows how to beat them and the threats they pose.

A word of caution would be that a trip to Ibrox would be a pressurised fixture, and it is fair to suggest that United could potentially struggle in the Glasgow pressure cooker.

Final - Bodo/Glimt or Viktoria Plzen

Both clubs fell to defeat against United in the league phase but both teams did hand them a scare. Bodo/Glimt's performance at Old Trafford in the first half will have given Amorim plenty to ponder and was ultimately a sign of the entrenched problems United face.

Viktoria Plzen will feel they should have got more from their game, but it was Rasmus Hojlund who changed that showdown in United's favour. But let's be frank, if the Reds lost to either of these sides in the final, there would be serious questions asked.

Worst route to glory

Quarter-finals - Lyon

They have been off the pace in Ligue 1 so far this season, but that is the same for a lot of established clubs in the top-flights across Europe. Lyon still pose a strong threat with United's former midfielder Nemanja Matic plying his trade in France.

Arsenal's ex-striker Alexandre Lacazette is a legend for the club - and will undoubtedly be eager to get one over United if that meeting happens.

Semi-finals - Athletic Club Bilbao

No side will be more motivated to reach the final than Athletic Club Bilbao. The final will be played in their stadium in the Basque country and their fanbase will be desperate to be there.

They are currently fourth position in La Liga, and an outside bet for winning the title, albeit Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are still tussling in the top three. United will need to keep a close eye on the Williams brothers Inaki and Nico if they are to beat Bilbao.

Final - Tottenham Hotspur or Lazio

The favourites for the Europa League will be the team which manages to progress from United's half of the draw to the final. Amorim's men will likely be considered underdogs against Spurs if they were to meet in Bilbao considering how Ange Postecoglou has managed to outwit the Reds twice already this season.

Italian giants Lazio would also pose a tough challenge - considering they finished top of the league phase. They are also performing well in Serie A and could feel that this is their chance to go all the way.

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