Erik ten Hag says Manchester United must be “really well prepared” to go far in the Europa League this season.
The Reds have been drawn in Group E alongside Real Sociedad, FC Sheriff of Moldova and Omonoia of Cyprus. The Europa League is the last trophy United lifted, having done so under Jose Mourinho in 2017 following a 2-0 win over Ajax in the final.
The ex-Old Trafford boss features in this season’s competition after guiding Roma to inaugural Conference League success in May. Other notable clubs include Premier League rivals Arsenal, Dutch outfit Feyenoord and Italian greats Lazio.
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United could meet such teams if they progress to the knock-out stages, as expected. During the group stages they will face opponents from Moldova and Cyprus for the first time ever.
Ten Hag believes all rivals will be hard to play against, noting Sheriff’s historic shock win over Real Madrid in last year’s Champions League group stages and branding Real Sociedad as “tough opponents”.
"Europe is always something special and you don’t know your opponents that well," he told in-house media. "But I think they will be good opponents.
"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.
"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."
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