Manchester United’s group for the Europa League has been drawn.
This is the first time United are in the competition since winning it in 2016/17.
United will face FC Astana, Partizan Belgrade, and AZ Alkmaar.
Positive
This is an easily winnable group in terms of quality. United will be heavy favourites and none of the ties appear daunting.
It means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be able to rotate his team, and still believe the Red Devils capable of progression.
It would be dangerous to underestimate our opponents, and the away ties might be awkward, but we should expect three wins in home matches.
All three of the teams had to get through qualifiers to reach to group stages.
Partizan knocked out Solskjaer’s former club Molde in the process.
The game against Alkmaar will see some attention given to former boss Louis Van Gaal who managed both clubs.
There should be plenty of room for United to give game time to younger players.
Negative
While the ties are winnable, the travelling required makes life awkward for United.
Alkmaar is a short trip, but journeys to Serbia and Kazakhstan will prove difficult for supporters, and the team itself.
It is the after effects of the away matches we are worried about. How detrimental will it be to United’s Premier League campaign?
From this perspective, United could have landed a more comfortable draw.
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