ERIK TEN HAG could be handed a nightmare play-off tie against Barcelona after Manchester United failed to qualify top of their Europa League group.
An emotional return to Ajax is also on the cards.
United fell a goal short of a bye through to the Europa League last 16 in Thursday’s 1-0 win against Real Sociedad.
Instead a play-off tie to reach that stage against one of the eight sides to have dropped down from the Champions League awaits.
So not only do Ten Hag’s troops have two extra games in an already hectic schedule, a tough test against one of Europe’s big hitters is also on the cards.
Here SunSport runs through the eight teams Ten Hag and Co could face in a daunting play-off, which IS scheduled to take place in February.
Manchester United and Barcelona have faced off plenty of times in the Champions League, but could find themselves pitted against each other in Europe’s second-tier competition.
The Spaniards are still rebuilding under Xavi and while they only won two of their Champions League group games, 10 wins out of 12 in La Liga proves they are still a formidable opponent.
Ten Hag’s old side Ajax failed to qualify from a tricky Champions League group that included Napoli and Liverpool.
The Dutch champions may have shipped 15 goals in four games against the high-flying Italians and the Reds, but are sure to raise their game if pitted against former gaffer Ten Hag.
Ten Hag isn’t the only one who could be handed an emotional tie.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s former club, Sporting Lisbon, are another possible opponent.
And the Portuguese outfit are no pushovers having taken four points off Tottenham in the Champions League group stages, and boast the talented Marcus Edwards in their ranks.
Another of Ronaldo’s old employers who could be drawn out of the hat.
Although at this moment in time Sporting are probably the tougher opponents.
The Italian side lost five out of their six Champions League group games, and are struggling down in seventh place in Serie A.
The Spaniards are currently rebuilding under new manager Jorge Sampaoli, who only took over at the start of last month.
But the Spaniards are Europa League specialists, winning the tournament in four out of the last nine seasons.
They have also beaten United in two of the previous three meetings between the teams, including the 2020 Europa League semi-final.
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