Europa League draw: Man Utd drawn with Real Sociedad, Arsenal to face PSV

By Sports Desk August 26, 2022

Manchester United will face LaLiga opposition and a pair of relative minnows in the Europa League, after being drawn in Group E alongside Real Sociedad, Sheriff Tiraspol and Omonoia.

Arsenal have reached at least the semi-finals in three of their last four Europa League campaigns and will go up against Dutch outfit PSV in Group A as they look to go further and lift the trophy.

Last season's Europa Conference League champions Roma, led by head coach Jose Mourinho, will face off against Ludogorets, Real Betis and HJK Helsinki in Group C.

It was Feyenoord that Mourinho's team beat in the final to win the inaugural Conference League, and Friday's Europa League draw saw the Dutch side included in Group F alongside Roma's fierce rivals Lazio.

Last season's quarter-finalists Braga will look to go deep in this competition once again but will have to battle Malmo, Union Berlin and Union Saint-Gilloise first to reach the knockout stages.

Dynamo Kyiv, meanwhile, were drawn against Fenerbahce, Rennes and Cypriot side AEK Larnaca.

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    Ruben Amorim expressed his “love” for Mason Mount as he prepares to take charge of his first match as Manchester United head coach.

    Mount has been hampered by injury during his spell at United, having started just seven matches for the club in the league and contributing only one goal.

    Yet he accrued 27 goals, 22 assists and created 227 chances during 129 appearances while at Chelsea. He will hope the arrival of his new boss will help him to recapture such form.

    Amorim arrived in Manchester on 11 November and, having had time to familiarise himself with a new squad during the international break, is excited at what Mount can bring to the Red Devils.

    “Mason Mount… I have to tell you I love that kid. You can look in his eyes that he wants this so bad. This is the most important thing,” he said at a press conference.

    “He played in this system, so it’s perfect for him. I have two positions for Mount, so he should be very happy!”

    The English midfielder was once seen as one of England’s most exciting talents, having impressed in the capital, but has floundered in his limited performances at United, with just 10 chances created in 17 matches.

    But Erik ten Hag’s departure could signal a reversal of fortunes for United and Mount.

    Following an unbeaten run under interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, Amorim will take the helm in the Premier League for the first time against Ipswich Town on Sunday.

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  • New Man Utd boss Amorim: 'I will do my thing, my way' New Man Utd boss Amorim: 'I will do my thing, my way'

    Ruben Amorim insisted "I will do my thing, my way" at Manchester United rather than concerning himself with where his predecessors went wrong.

    The 39-year-old will be on the touchline for his first game as United head coach on Sunday as they face Ipswich Town, taking over from caretaker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

    Amorim was confirmed as the new head coach at Old Trafford at the start of November after Erik ten Hag was sacked following a poor run of results.

    The former Sporting CP boss will not look to the past for answers, however, as he looks to turn the fortunes of United around.

    "I will not try to find out the right thing to do or try to find out what was missing with Erik ten Hag, with Jose Mourinho, with Louis van Gaal," Amorim told Sky Sports.

    "I will not try that because I think it's a waste of time. They chose me because they saw something and I do something in a clear way.

    "I really don't know what the [other managers] missed here but I know I will do my thing, my way and try to find out what is missing in my way of seeing football."

    Ten Hag guided United to two trophies but struggled to maintain form across all competitions as they fell to a disappointing eighth-placed finish in the Premier League.

    It adds to the persistent struggles of the club since the departure of Alex Ferguson as, despite their illustrious history, United have failed to win a league title since 2013. But Amorim believes he can deliver success.

    "We will have really hard moments but, in the end, I truly believe that we are going to succeed," he said.

    "The first impression is that it's so big, with a lot of departments. I came from a big club in a small country. Here is a different world.

    "You have a lot to do. You are not just a coach. You have to be something more.

    "So it's a little bit different, but I think I'm prepared for that. And it's Manchester United. It doesn't matter the last years."

    Amorim enjoyed great success at Sporting, winning two league titles.

    He took charge of 231 games in all competitions, the most in the club's history, and won 164 of those matches, losing just 33 times, with his 71% win percentage also a club record-high mark. His team scored 510 goals, averaging 2.2 per game.

     

    After a successful four-game stint for interim boss Russ van Nistelrooy, Amorim officially took over at Old Trafford on November 11.

    He is, however, understanding that fans may still be wary of the future, given what has come before.

    "I know that at this moment our fans are with mixed feelings - 'I want to be excited, but I have been here so I'm a little bit afraid. It's the same story all the time. I can be disappointed,’" said Amorim.

    "So what I can say is that I'm really excited. I'm not afraid to show it. But I have a clear idea that this will take time.

    "Don't confuse my happiness with naivety. It's not the same thing. I'm really happy.

    "I know what to do. But I have an idea that we are going to suffer a little bit before improving in the way that you should improve."

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