Picking the toughest 3 opponents of the 16 teams United could face in Europa League
Manchester United will find out our Europa League opponents on Monday.
The teams entering the round of 32 have now been finalised after Thursday’s action.
United are among eight teams dropping down from the Champions League after agonisingly finishing third in Group H.
Fortunately United are one of the seeded teams, which means we avoid the likes of Ajax and AC Milan in the next round. A clash with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers is not on the agenda either.
United also cannot draw an English club, delaying for now a two-legged tie against Arsenal, Tottenham or Leicester.
The teams United can face
There is a potentially fascinating tie for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer against his former club Molde.
They would be among the best possible draws, as would Antwerp, Slavia Prague, or Young Boys.
The three toughest opponents
Benfica: Every year Benfica are up there competing for the Portuguese title and this year is no different. They sit in second place with seven wins from nine games.
Their side boasts Jan Vertonghen, and an impressive young Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez who hopes to emulate Edinson Cavani.
Brazilian playmaker Everton Soares is a player to be wary of with five assists to his name so far.
Dynamo Kiev: Nobody will be relishing a February trip to Ukraine to take on Dynamo Kiev.
Kiev were a Champions League dropout like United, having been unfortunate enough to land in a group with Barcelona and Juventus.
Their biggest dangerman this season is Viktor Tsygankov, who has eight goals and three assists, which included a goal against Barcelona.
Real Sociedad: United will want to avoid Spanish upstarts Real Sociedad, who sit in second place in La Liga.
Star man is winger Mikel Oyarzabal who has scored seven times this season already.
Sociedad were recently linked with Jesse Lingard by SkySports. He would be eligible to play if a loan went through.
- 'Leading option'… Manchester United make move for Juventus midfielder as De Jong alternative
- £31m Manchester United star has big part to play despite Ten Hag opening day snub
- Manchester United target said Red Devils star on 'another planet' and was criticised by Neville
- Laporta tells two Barcelona players to leave and makes Frenkie de Jong statement amid Manchester United reports
- 19 passes completed in 79 minutes: Manchester United star is simply not good enough
- 5 reasons Manchester United lost 2-1 to Brighton on opening day of the season
- Erik ten Hag picks out Manchester United star for praise after 2-1 defeat
- Roy Keane blasts Manchester United pre-season 'PR'
- 99 Touches, 15 Recoveries: £46m Manchester United star a bright spot in 2-1 defeat
- 'Perfect club'… Director responds amid 'ongoing' Manchester United attempts for £55m star, it's not good news
