[골닷컴] Reporter Kim Hyung-joong = Manchester United are heading for the UEFA Europa League title. This is the first challenge in six years since winning the 2016/17 season.
Manchester United will play their home match once morest Spanish La Liga club Real Sociedad in the Europa League group stage first leg at Old Trafford, Manchester, England on the 9th at 4 am (Korean time). Manchester United, who lifted the Europa League trophy under Mourinho in the past, begin their first voyage to win the title once once more under Eric ten Haach.
Ten Haach, who took over Manchester United this season, has experience leading Ajax and showing his true value on the European stage. In particular, in the 2018/19 season, Ajax reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League and challenged the limits of a small club. At that time, in the semi-finals, Tottenham Hotspur scored a dramatic goal to Lucas Moura in extra time in the second half and missed out on qualifying for the final. I also have good memories of reaching the Champions League round of 16 last season. As Ajax manager, he recorded 17 wins, 7 draws and 8 losses in the Champions League and 5 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses in the Europa League.
In an interview with the club on the 8th, coach Ten Haach expressed his impressions of leading the new team to the European competition. When asked if it was fun to be on the European stage, he replied, “It’s always fun. The night of the European competition is always special. It’s great to compete with good clubs with different styles and systems. I’m looking forward to it.”
He continued, “Meeting teams with different styles and systems and finding answers and solutions within them is really good for the team’s development. It’s a big help, and there’s something to gain from it and it will improve.”
Meanwhile, United will compete once morest Real Sociedad, Moldova Club FC Sheriff and Cypress Club Omonia FC in Group G of the Europa League this season. It is evaluated that the group formation was relatively easy.
Also, local media are predicting Cristiano Ronaldo’s Europa League debut. If played on that day, Ronaldo will have his first Europa League appearance since his 2003 professional debut.