Manchester United, Tottenham Kick Off Europa League Campaigns

Posted : 24 September 2024

Manchester United and Tottenham are set to begin their Europa League campaigns this week, eager to overcome disappointing starts to their Premier League seasons. Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United has struggled to make significant improvements since last season, currently positioned outside the top ten with only seven points from five matches.

Despite a tumultuous previous campaign that culminated in their worst-ever Premier League finish of eighth, United's manager has managed to retain his position, largely due to a surprising FA Cup victory against Manchester City.

The club invested heavily in new players during the transfer window, but the anticipated turnaround in performance has yet to be realized. Manchester United will host Twente in their Europa League opener on Wednesday, but their recent form raises concerns.

A goalless draw against Crystal Palace last weekend dampened the morale that had been building after a 3-0 victory over Southampton and a League Cup win against Barnsley. Ten Hag remains optimistic, stating that while the scoreline is disappointing, he believes the team is making progress.

“We are not happy with the score, and it’s clear we are disappointed,” Ten Hag remarked after the stalemate at Selhurst Park. He emphasized the importance of continuing to build the team and developing consistency in selection, which he believes will lead to improved results and performances.

With Manchester United returning to the Europa League after a disastrous Champions League run last season, the pressure is on Ten Hag and his players to secure a win against Twente, who are competing in the group stage for the first time since 2012.

Tottenham, under manager Ange Postecoglou, is also facing scrutiny after an impressive start to the previous season turned sour. A recent 3-1 victory over Brentford helped the team recover from two consecutive losses against Newcastle and Arsenal. With a 17-year drought without a major trophy, Tottenham views the new Europa League format as a prime opportunity to claim silverware, especially with the absence of teams dropping down from the Champions League. They will host Azerbaijan's Qarabag on Thursday, hoping to build momentum.

Meanwhile, crisis-stricken Roma will welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Stadio Olimpico, looking to maintain their recent success in European competitions. The Serie A club has reached the semifinals of the Europa League in three of the last four seasons, with a notable victory in the 2022 Conference League under former coach Jose Mourinho.

However, the recent sacking of coach Daniele De Rossi has left fans outraged, leading to protests against club management. Roma's CEO Lina Souloukou has even faced threats and had to go under police protection, reflecting the deep frustration among supporters. Other notable fixtures in the Europa League include 2022 champions Eintracht Frankfurt facing Viktoria Plzen and Ajax taking on Besiktas in Amsterdam.

Manchester United, Tottenham Kick Off Europa League Campaigns

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