August 26, (THEWILL) – The English Premier League sides learnt their fate for the UEFA Europa League on Friday, with Manchester United and Real Sociedad placed in a challenging group, while PSV appears to be Arsenal’s strongest competition in the first round.
Along with Sociedad of La Liga, the other teams in United’s Group E are Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova, who notably upset Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the Champions League last season, and Omonoia Nicosia of Cyprus.
For Arsenal, PSV, led by former United player, Ruud van Nistelrooy, will be looking to challenge their newfound upturn in results. Both sides will also face Bodo/Glimt and FC Zurich of Switzerland, two teams that did exceptionally well in the previous Europa Conference League.
Lazio versus Feyenoord in Group F and Roma versus Real Betis in Group C appear to be the two most glamorous matches in the remaining draw.
The Europa League’s first matchday will be on September 8, and the group rounds will end on November 3.
The knockout stages get underway with a play-off on February 16 next year, and the final is scheduled for May 31 in Budapest’s Puskas Arena. Later on Friday, the Europa Conference League draw will be held.
Full draw:
GROUP A
Arsenal
PSV
Bodo/Glimt
FC Zurich
GROUP B
Dynamo Kyiv
Rennes
Fenerbahce
AEK Larnaca
GROUP C
AS Roma
Ludogorets
Real Betis
HJK
GROUP D
Braga
Malmo
Union Berlin
Union St Gilloise
GROUP E
Manchester United
Real Sociedad
Sheriff Tiraspol
Omonoia Nicosia
GROUP F
Lazio
Feyenoord
Midtjylland
Sturm Graz
GROUP G
Olympiacos
Qarabag
SC Freiburg
FC Nantes
GROUP H
Crvena zvezda
AS Monaco
Ferencvaros
Trabzonspor
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
