Erik ten Hag reacts to Manchester United's group in the Europa League

Earlier today, the UEFA Europa League group stage draw ceremony took place in Istanbul, in which Manchester United were drawn into Group D alongside Real Sociedad, Sheriff Tiraspol, and Omonia Nicosia. After holding a press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League match against Southampton, Erik ten Hag spoke to the club’s media about the results of the draw.

Besides Real Sociedad, the Red Devils will face clubs from Moldova and Cyprus, which aren’t that popular outside of their countries, but the new manager doesn’t think there will be any easy matchup: “Europe is always something special and you don’t know your opponents that well. But I think they will be good opponents”.

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The team that got most United fans worried in the group is Real Sociedad, to which Erik ten Hag had this to say about them: “Real Sociedad are a really great club in Spain, now sixth in the league, and I saw them, coincidentally, play at the weekend against Barcelona and they competed really well, so they will be tough opponents”.

The 52-year-old coach highlighted Sheriff Tiraspol’s accomplishments last season in the Champions League group stage and is expecting a difficult opponent: “There are the other two teams too. Sheriff beat Real Madrid last year, so they must be good. We have to be really well prepared to do well in this competition”.

A good opportunity

Despite some negativity from the club’s supporters or rival fans, the UEFA Europa League could be a great opportunity for Manchester United to get back into winning ways, since the last trophy won by the club, was precisely the Europa League back in 2017 against Ajax in the final back when Jose Mourinho was in charge.