Manchester United head for Denmark after being dumped out of Champions League

Midtjylland’s pony-tailed chairman Rasmus Ankersen, appointed by former financier and professional gambler Benham, who also owns English second-tier club Brentford, issued a warning after the draw.

Spurs qualified from their group as winners this year and were seeded for the draw, so will head to Italy for the first leg with the return at White Hart Lane.

Man United are now under enormous pressure as they crashed out of the Champions League with a 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg in Germany last week and then followed that up with a 2-1 loss against Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Finland’s Tim Sparv, who had a spell at Southampton, and ex-Hibernian defender Francis Dickoh are two of the best-known current players in the Danes’ squad.

Midtjylland were paired with the Red Devils in Monday’s Europa League round of 32 draw, but have a history of punching above their weight.

“If we can beat Southampton we have a chance, that’s what the players will feel”.

‘The anticipation of facing Liverpool is huge, ‘ said Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl.

If Cork City, who entered the tournament at the first qualifying round, were to do the unimaginable and win the competition, they would have to play 23 matches.

The 16 unseeded teams are: Fenerbahce, Sion, Borussia Dortmund, Midtjylland, Villarreal, Marseille, St Etienne, Sporting Lisbon, Fiorentina, Anderlecht, Sparta Prague, Augsburg, Sevilla, Valencia, Galatasaray and Shakhtar Donetsk.

I don’t have to think back long to remember the social media taunts flowing in my direction from United supporters suggesting I will need to keep Thursday nights free this year to watch Liverpool in the Europa League. This game is something special. “We will be outsiders against Liverpool, but are gladly accepting that role”.

Regardless of the talent on the side, with the talent we have and the money we’ve spent we should still expect to progress to the last 16.

“Winning the FA Cup would buy him a bit more time, the Europa League, too, but if United won either of those competitions then they would still be under pressure to start next season well”.

First legs to be played on February 18.