In the early hours of Friday morning (4th), the UEFA Europa League group stage came to an end, with Manchester United missing out on the top spot in Group E due to a low goal tally, despite a narrow 1-0 away win against Real Sociedad. Being the second place in the group, this will undoubtedly have a huge impact on Manchester United. Not only do they have to play two more play-off matches, their opponents may also be top teams such as Barcelona and Juventus, and coupled with the intensive post-World Cup fixtures, the pressure on the second half of the season for Manchester United has increased dramatically.
For this match, United needed to net at least two goals if they wanted to finish first in the group. Manager Tannhäuser sent out his starters such as Crowe and Bruno Fernandes, and in the 17th minute, youngster Kahnzu received a pass from Crowe to open the door to victory for United. However, United were mediocre throughout the match, with the exception of that goal. Real Sociedad had 14 shots on goal, and if not for De Gea's heroics, United might have struggled to get even three points. In the end, United won 1-0, but the goal difference prevented them from topping the group.
The implications of finishing first and second in the UEFA group should not be underestimated. United will now have to play two more play-off matches in February next year against the third-placed team in the UEFA Europa League group, with potential opponents including Barcelona, Juventus, Sevilla, Ajax, Benfica, Liverpool, Sacta and Salzburg, all of whom are strong opponents. With two play-off matches, United will have a tough schedule full of matches in all the weeks leading up to April.
Tanhag said after the game, "Our goal was to finish first in the group, and of course, we will be disappointed not to have achieved that. But after all, we won the game and kept a clean sheet and created some chances, it was only the forward line that had problems. We will try to correct our mistakes and the team needs more goal-scoring firepower." Tanhag also gave special praise to goal-scorer Kaunzu as a future starter for the team.
UEFA Europa League qualifying list
Top of the group (direct entry to the round of 16): Arsenal, Ferencvaros, Betis, St. Kitts and Nevis, Real Sociedad, Ferencvaros, Freiburg, Ferencvarge
Second place in the group (play-offs): Jan Haufen, Rennes, Roma, Union Berlin, Manchester United, Midrand, Nantes, Monaco
UEFA Group 3 (play-offs): Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona, Benfica, Salzburg, Sacta, Sevilla, Juventus
