Manchester United secured their spot in the last eight of the Europa League on Thursday night as Marcus Rashford’s goal earned them a 1-0 win over Real Betis in Spain.
That completed a 5-1 aggregate victory following the 4-1 success at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag’s side can now look forward to the quarter-final draw.
United are among the favourites for the competition and will fancy their chances regardless of who they are paired with. But we take a look at the best and worst outcomes from the draw and assess the sides left in the tournament.
ALSO READ: When is the Europa League quarter-final draw and who can United play?
Best case: Union Saint-Gilloise
The Belgian side have enjoyed a rapid rise in recent seasons and sit second in their domestic league. They topped their Europa League group, ahead of Union Berlin who they then knocked out in midweek. And while they will provide a tough test, United would expect to progress and the relative lack of travel would be another bonus.
Bayer Leverkusen are struggling in the Bundesliga and would likely be next on the wish list despite the memories of the 2002 Champions League semi-final. Sevilla are enjoying a poor domestic season but have an enviable record in this competition while Feyenoord hit seven on Thursday and are heading Ajax at the top of the Dutch league.
Worst case: Juventus
Roma might be obdurate and have Jose Mourinho in the dugout while Sporting Lisbon proved their credentials in upsetting Arsenal on Thursday, but Juventus would perhaps provide the toughest test.
They are not the side of old but their lowly Serie A position is misleading given they were imposed with a 15-point deduction earlier in the season. Without that sanction they'd be second and in Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa they have matchwinners, not to mention former United pair Angel Di Maria and Paul Pogba.
READ NEXT:
