Europa League: Man Utd could face Barcelona, Juventus, Ajax in next round

Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, is desperate to avoid clubs that dropped out of the Champions League into Europa League.

The Dutchman takes the Red Devils to Real Sociedad for their final Group E fixture on Thursday night.

United have to defeat the LaLiga side by two goals or more, to qualify into the last 16 of the Europa League.

Failure to do so would see the Premier League side finish second place and drawn against any of the eight drop-outs in a play-off round.

That includes Barcelona, Ajax, Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting Lisbon and Juventus.

“It’s clear. Obviously it’s important we win. We know what we have to do: two goals difference.

“But we like these challenges. If you want to win a trophy, you have to beat everyone,” Ten Hag said at the Reale Arena on Wednesday.

Sociedad have won all five of their group games so far, conceding just one goal.