Europa League draw: Manchester United to face Ajax
by Gene Um on Dec 16, 2011 12:58 PM GMT
in Manchester United: Europa League
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Following the draw for the UEFA Champions League in Nyon, the draw for the Europa League's Round of 32 occurred and it revealed that Manchester United will face Ajax. Quite obviously, many United supporters don't have much interest in the Europa League and it remains to be seen how seriously manager Sir Alex Ferguson treats the competition. However, the draw with Ajax is intriguing. First of all, it's a club with a proud history. In addition, they have an intriguing 19-year-old midfielder by the name of Christian Eriksen -- a player who is believed to be on the transfer radar of many of the big clubs around Europe, including United's. Furthermore, this means a trip to Amsterdam for United's traveling supporters....
The first round of the knockout stages are set to occur during the week of February 16-23. Here is the full draw:
* Manchester United vs. Ajax
* FC Porto vs. Manchester City
* Lokomotiv Moscow vs. Athletic Bilbao
* SV Salzburg vs. FC Metalist Kharkiv
* Stoke City vs. Valencia
* FK Rubin Kazan vs. Olympiakos
* AZ Alkmaar vs. Anderlecht
* Lazio vs. Atletico Madrid
* Steaua Bucharest vs. Twente Enschede
* Viktoria Pizen vs. Schalke 04
* Wisla Krakow vs. Standard Liege
* Braga vs. Besiktas
* Udinese vs. PAOK Salonika
* Trabzonspor vs. PSV Eindhoven
* Hannover 96 vs. Club Brugge
* Legia Warsaw vs. Sporting Lisbon
The potential Round of 16 draw for United is interesting as well. They could potentially face Athletic Bilbao -- who have another intriguing potential transfer target in Javi Martinez and a tactical genius of a manager in Marcelo Bielsa. Here is the full Round of 16 draw:
* Manchester United or Ajax vs. Lokomotiv Moscow or Athletic Bilbao
* FC Salzburg or Metalist Kharrkiv vs. Rubin Kazan or Olympiakos
* Legia Warsaw or Sporting vs. Porto or Manchester City
* Steaua Bucharest or FC Twented vs. Viktoria Pizen or Schalke
* Wisla Krakow or Standard Liege vs. Hannover vs. Club Brugge
* Stoke or Valencia vs. Trabzonspor or PSV Eindhoven
* AZ Alkmaar or Anderlecht vs. Udinese or PAOK
* Lazio or Atletico Madrid vs. SC Braga or Besiktas
What are your thoughts on the draw? Does drawing Ajax raise your interest? What other draws intrigue you?
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I'm actually excited for this because of....
- Ajax & Christian Eriksen
- Athletic Bilbao: Javi Martinez and Marcelo Bielsa (a tactician I really admire)
Editor-in-Chief for The Busby Babe | SB Nation Soccer Contributor
http://twitter.com/#!/GeneUmTBB
Saw this on Twitter just now....
“Here’s the plan: ‘Beat Ajax, kidnap Eriksen, Beat Bilbao, kidnap Martinez’ #glazerplan”
Sounds good to me…
Editor-in-Chief for The Busby Babe | SB Nation Soccer Contributor
http://twitter.com/#!/GeneUmTBB
hahaha
Next stop beat barca….. Hijack team bus
by Sweet science on Dec 17, 2011 1:56 PM GMT up reply actions
not sure...
I think that’s something most are wondering. Basically, will Fergie treat this as an extended Carling Cup? The Premier League is certainly the priority.
I don’t really care about the competition but it would be fun for me if we beat Ajax and got to face Athletico Bilbao in a two-legged tie.
Editor-in-Chief for The Busby Babe | SB Nation Soccer Contributor
http://twitter.com/#!/GeneUmTBB
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