Manchester United guarantees knockout stage in Europa League

In February 2025, the Europa League introduced a new play-off format for the first time, determining which teams would enter the last-16 knockout round. Eight play-off matches would occur between the clubs finishing ninth to 24th in the league standings, while the top eight clubs would proceed directly to the last-16. Manchester United was among the three British clubs—including Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers—that successfully secured their spot in this advanced stage, aiming to progress deeper into the competition. This goal is crucial for United given their current bottom-half position in the Premier League table, marking the Europa League as their best hope for returning to the Champions League next season. Under the management of Erik ten Hag, who has faced challenges this season, the stability provided by interim managers has allowed United to achieve this accomplishment. United finished the league phase as the third seed in the tournament, making them among the favorites to succeed without the risk of facing teams relegated from the Champions League this season. The play-off matches scheduled for February 13 and 20 included seeded teams from the ninth to 16th positions matched against unseeded teams from the standings. The knockout matches are set to take place on March 6 and 13, 2025. This change in format heralds a new era for the Europa League, aiming to invigorate the competition and provide a more structured pathway for clubs to advance to the coveted knockout stages, ultimately culminating in the final at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on May 21, 2025. As Manchester United prepares for their last-16 match-ups, their determination reflects the greater ambitions within the club to reclaim their status amongst Europe's elite football teams.