Man Utd path to Europa League 2025 Final set as Red Devils learn ALL opponents
Manchester United will be eyeing Europa League success to salvage their season and their knockouts begin with a clash against Spanish side Real Sociedad before potentially facing Rangers later on
by Samuel Meade · The MirrorManchester United will take on Real Sociedad in the last 16 of the Europa League ahead of a possible semi-final clash with Rangers.
The Red Devils are likely to go all in on Europe's secondary competition. It is among their best hopes of winning a trophy and, given they sit 15th in the Premier League, it would provide their only route in the Champions League next season.
Ruben Amorim's side have won their last five games in the tournament and finished third in the league phase, but face a tough task against the Spanish side. Sociedad have the likes of Martin Zubimendi in their ranks and will provide a serious test for the Premier League outfit.
Should they negotiate them a last eight clash awaits against either Lyon or Steaua Bucharest. Come the semi-finals, should United progress, they will face either Athletic Bilbao, Roma, Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce or Rangers in the last four.
Some mouthwatering prospects exist. United won the Europa League in 2017 under Mourinho and drew in Turkey against his current side earlier in the tournament. They also beat Rangers with a stoppage time winner at Old Trafford recently.
United have dodged Lazio and Tottenham, who could end up being final opponents should they get that far. Bilbao's San Mames will host the final with Frankfurt and Ajax among those on the other half of the draw eyeing a spot in the showpiece event.
Amorim confessed previously that a team like United, once they reach the knockouts, must be thinking about lifting the trophy. He said: “I think we can go game by game and we can win it. Then you have the responsibility, no matter the context, because you are in Manchester United so you must fight for winning trophies. So we will see.
“When you get to this stage of any competition, anything is possible and they can prove, on a good day, that they can win against anybody. So we can think about that [winning the competition.]"
Amorim is yet to claim a European trophy despite enjoying success in Sporting Lisbon. United have won trophies in each of their past two seasons, landing the Carabao Cup two years ago and the FA Cup last term. Those successes helped Erik ten Hag remain in a job before his dismissal and a Europa League victory would be huge for United given the state of the club.
Man Utd's path to the final
Last 16
Real Sociedad
Quarter-final
Lyon or Steaua Bucharest
Semi-final
Athletic Bilbao, Roma, Fenerbahce or Rangers
It would also be a huge help given where the club are at financially. This summer could prove tough in terms of recruitment but revenue from next season's Champions League would likely change the plans in Manchester as they look to rebuild.
Europa League draw in full
Last 16
Olympiacos vs Bodo Glimt
Fenerbahce vs Rangers
Ajax vs Eintracht Frankfurt
FCSB vs Lyon
AZ vs Tottenham
Real Sociedad vs Manchester United
Viktoria Plzen vs Lazio
Roma vs Athletic Bilbao
Quarter-Finals
Olympiacos or Bodo Glimt vs Viktoria Plzeň or Lazio
AZ or Tottenham vs Ajax or Eintracht Frankfurt
Fenerbahce or Rangers vs Roma or Athletic Bilbao
FCSB or Lyon vs Real Sociedad or Manchester United
Semi-Finals
AZ or Tottenham/Ajax or Eintracht Frankfurt vs Olympiacos or Bodo Glimt/Viktoria Plzen or Lazio
Fenerbahce or Rangers/Roma or Athletic Bilbao vs FCSB or Lyon/Real Sociedad or Manchester United
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