FCM to play Manchester United in Europa League

Valencia, the 2004 UEFA Cup champion, was the first team picked and was paired with Rapid Vienna.

The English club was drawn to face Augsburg, with the first leg on February 18 and the second leg a week later. The draw starts locally at noon in Nyon, Switzerland, where Uefa is headquartered, and at 3pm here in the UAE.

Winning the tournament would not only bring silverware back to the club after two barren years but it would also guarantee the inclusion of Manchester United in next season’s Champions League tournament, irrespective of their final league position.

Van Gaal has received heavy criticism following his team’s Champions League exit and their 2-1 defeat by promoted Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, and could certainly do with a run in the Europa League.

The four who were eliminated from the Champions League are Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk, Galatasaray of Turkey, and Spanish clubs Sevilla and Valencia – where former Manchester United defender Neville is manager.

Fenerbahce will meet Locomotiv Moscow, Anderlecht take on Greek champions Olympiacos, Sparta Prague face Krasnodar, Sion play against Braga and Villarreal meet last season’s semi-finalists Napoli. The tie represents a great chance for the Reds to take yet another step closer to silverware.

United are scheduled to play there on Thursday 18 February with the return match at Old Trafford coming a week later on Thursday 25 February. Germany and Spain have the largest number of representatives in the Europa League round of 32, both providing 4 teams.

The ESPN FC panel give their thoughts on Louis van Gaal’s future following Manchester United’s “inexcusable” loss at Bournemouth.

“It will be first leg away and the second at home”.