Football / News / Sports

Europa League playoff draw in full: Barcelona to face Man United for a place in Round of 16

The Europa League might be considered Europe’s second-tier continental competition, but there is a tie in this season’s playoff round worthy of global attention.

Barcelona, who dropped out of the Champions League after finishing behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in their group, will face Manchester United in a two-legged tie in February.

Serie A giants Juventus are also involved at this stage and will face Nantes, while Jose Mourinho’s Roma will take on Salzburg.

The winners of the playoff ties will progress to the Europa League last 16.

Europa League knockout playoffs draw, fixtures and schedule

The winners from the playoff round will advance to the Round of 16 and will be matched up against a group winner. All eight Europa League group winners earned a bye straight to the Round of 16.

The playoff matches will be played in February. The draw for the last 16 will take place on February 24.

Match 1st Leg 2nd Leg
Barcelona vs Manchester United Feb 16 Feb 23
Juventus vs Nantes Feb 16 Feb 23
Sporting CP vs Midtjylland Feb 16 Feb 23
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rennes Feb 16 Feb 23
Ajax vs Union Berlin Feb 16 Feb 23
Bayer Leverkusen vs Monaco Feb 16 Feb 23
Sevilla vs PSV Feb 16 Feb 23
Salzburg vs Roma Feb 16 Feb 23

*Teams in bold are seeded and will play the second leg at home

Teams qualifying from Europa League group stage

First-place finishers earned a bye to the Round of 16, while second-place finishers must take part in the playoff round.

Europa League
Group		 1st Place
(Group Winners)		 2nd Place
(Group Runners-up)
A Arsenal (ENG) PSV (NED)
B Fenerbahce (TUR) Rennes (FRA)
C Real Betis (SPA) AS Roma (ITA)
D Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL) Union Berlin (GER)
E Real Sociedad (SPA) Manchester United (ENG)
F Feyenoord (NED) Midtjylland (DEN)
G SC Freiburg (GER) Nantes (FRA)
H Ferencvaros (HUN) AS Monaco (FRA)
…
Football / News / Sports

Marcus Rashford double helps Man United beat Omonia Nicosia 3-2 in Europa League

Marcus Rashford came off the bench to score twice and help Manchester United overcome a half-time deficit to beat Omonia Nicosia 3-2 in a Europa League group phase clash in Cyprus on Thursday.

With United stunningly trailing to a first-half goal from Karim Ansarifard, Rashford came on at the interval and scored one and set up another for Anthony Martial to turn the game on its head within 20 minutes of his arrival.

Rashford added United’s third with six minutes remaining before Omonia ensured a nervy finale after Nikolas Panagiotou immediately pulled a goal back.

The result leaves United second in Group E on six points, three behind leaders Real Sociedad and three ahead of Sheriff. Omonia, who will visit Old Trafford in a week’s time, remain without a point.

Man United boss Erik ten Hag made three changes to the lineup that was blasted 6-3 by rivals Manchester City on Sunday, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro and Victor Lindelof coming into the side.

For Ronaldo, playing against the Cypriot cup winners seemed an ideal opportunity to get the one goal he needed for the 700th of his club career.

But while United expectedly dominated play from the off they failed to make that advantage count in the first 45 minutes.

Antony was the chief culprit, missing a glorious chance to open the scoring in just the 16th minute. After Bruno Fernandes ran over a pass from deep by Lisandro Martinez, Anthony found himself clean through on goal but instead of shooting chose to try and lay the ball back to Fernandes. The pass failed to find its target and the chance inexplicably came to nothing.

Fernandes was left frustrated again two minutes later when his chip beat the goalkeeper but came back off the crossbar.

Then in the 34th minute, the visitors were struck by a classic sucker punch.

Tyrell Malacia was caught in possession by Bruno in the Nicosia half while United had everyone ahead of the ball. The Nicosia forward was able to drive forward before finding the …

Football / Sports

Marcus Rashford scores twice to Lift United against streaking Gunners

Manchester United ended Arsenal’s winning start to the Premier League season in a thrilling clash that saw Antony score on his debut and Marcus Rashford hit a quick-fire double after Bukayo Saka had equalized in the second half.

After a bright start by both teams, Arsenal thought they had struck first as Gabriel Martinelli finished a devastating counter-attack but the goal was ruled out by VAR for an earlier foul on Christian Eriksen.

From there Arsenal took control but the Gunners were torn apart by United on the break, as Rashford set up Antony to steer a first-time finish past Aaron Ramsdale for a debut goal following his €100m move from Ajax.

Arsenal responded after the break with chances through Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, before the England international fired a deserved equalizer on the hour-mark. It seemed as if Arsenal had the momentum, but they were hit with a counter-punch as Rashford raced away to restore their lead.

It was the latest swing in a thrilling match and with Arsenal pushing forward with more numbers, Rashford scored his second to seal United’s fourth straight win and end Arsenal’s unbeaten start.
…
Football / Sports

Manchester United beat Leicester City for third win in a row

Jadon Sancho scored the game’s lone goal as Manchester United beat Leicester City 1-0 on Thursday at the King Power Stadium for their third win in a row.

After a stuttering start to the season, Erik ten Hag’s side came into the match off the back of Premier League wins over Liverpool and Southampton and saw both captain Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo left out of the starting XI for the third game in a row.

United hit Leicester on a quick counter-attack midway through the first half as Marcus Rashford threaded the ball through the hosts’ backline to Sancho, who rounded goalkeeper Danny Ward with his first touch and rolled the ball into an empty net with his second to finish the move.

James Maddison went close for Leicester with a superb free kick which brought an excellent save from United’s David De Gea, but the home side struggled to create chances.

The opener seemed to boost the visitors’ confidence and they pushed forward throughout the remainder of the opening 45 minutes. No second goal came and United took their 1-0 lead into the break.

Ten Hag brought on summer arrival Casemiro for Anthony Elanga just before the hour mark as United clung to their lead and Leicester chased an equalizer.

Ronaldo, who did not leave the club before Thursday’s end to the transfer window, came on shortly after in place of Sancho and looked lively, setting up Rashford for a chance in the 82nd minute and bouncing an overhead kick past Ward’s far post minutes later.

“We need a good squad and we needed numbers,” Ten Hag said after the match. “There are a lot of games to cover. Once we have Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro getting fitter it will get better still — we need not only a team we need a squad.”

Leicester had a late chance to level but full-back James Justin blasted high and wide from a promising position on the right as United collected back-to-back away victories.

Man United saw out the remainder …

Football / Sports

Man United confirm signing of winger Antony from Ajax

Manchester United have completed the signing of winger Antony from Ajax on a five-year deal, the club confirmed on Thursday.

Antony said: “This is an incredible moment in my career to be joining one of the most iconic clubs in the world. I’m thankful to everyone who has believed in me, especially my family, and all my coaches and team-mates, because I could not have got here without them.

United agreed a fee for the Brazil international on Monday, which sources told was worth an initial €95 million with another €5m in add-ons — making it the club’s second-most expensive transfer behind the then-world record €105m (£89.3m) deal to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus in 2016.

Antony’s move to Old Trafford means he will be reunited with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, who has completed his fifth signing of the summer after deals for Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.

Antony added: “Playing under Erik ten Hag at Ajax was perfect for me and my development. His style of football and coaching brings out the best in me, and I am excited by what he has told me about his plans and ambitions in Manchester.

“My time at Ajax was fantastic and I will always be grateful for the trust they put in me, but now I am ready for the next challenge, and I can’t wait to join my new team-mates and play my part in bringing success to Manchester United.”

The 22-year-old winger gives Ten Hag more options in attack after Anthony Martial sustained an Achilles’ tendon injury in United’s 2-1 victory against Liverpool last week.

Antony scored 25 goals in 82 games for Ajax after joining the Eredivisie side from Sao Paulo in 2020, winning two league titles and a KNVB Cup during his time there. He has made nine appearances for Brazil, scoring twice, and helped his country to an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo last year.

John Murtough, United’s football director, said: “Antony is one of the most exciting young talents …

Football / Sports

Marcus Rashford kickstarts Erik ten Hag era against listless Reds

Manchester United marked the belated launch of a new era under Erik Ten Hag as they deservedly beat rivals Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Having lost to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford in their opening two games of the new campaign, the Red Devils looked transformed as they outfought and out-thought their arch-rivals to earn their first win under the Dutchman.

Liverpool had ran out 5-0 victors at this stadium en route to falling agonizingly short of a quadruple trophy success last season, but they were well short of those standards in losing out this time around.

Goals in either half from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford gave the revitalized hosts an advantage that they refused to surrender even after Mohamed Salah’s late header set up a potentially grandstand finish.

And that has left Jurgen Klopp searching for answers to a poor start that has seen his side return two draws and a defeat.

Ten Hag’s tough love pays off

Ten Hag’s decision to force his players to take part in a running session the day after their defeat to Brentford was questioned in some quarters.

But the Dutchman’s hardline approach appeared to pay off on Monday evening as his side outfought opponents who are renowned for their hard-working approach under Jurgen Klopp.

By fulltime against Liverpool at Old Trafford, United had run 18.3km more than they had across the 90 minutes in west London.

And that had played no small part in them forcing a team packed with quality into constant mistakes — a key facet of the victory.

Liverpool midfield question persists

If there is one area of the pitch Liverpool fans would most like to see reinforced before the end of the transfer window, it is undoubtedly midfield. The argument for bringing in a fresh face in the center of the park in the next few days was only strengthened by events at Old Trafford.

Admittedly, youngster Harvey Elliott performed well, but he was a rare bright spot in an engine room that largely failed to …

Football / Sports

Pascal Gross double ruins Ten Hag’s Old Trafford bow

Pascal Gross netted a first-half brace to inspire Brighton to a deserved 2-1 win over Manchester United and ruin Erik ten Hag’s maiden Premier League outing.

Ten Hag named Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench at Old Trafford and his players were left floundering by Gross’ close-range expertise as the German midfielder took his career tally against United to six. A scrappy own-goal from Alexis MacAllister reduced the arrears but, even with Ronaldo on the field as a second-half substitute, the sort of late rally often synonymous with United on their home ground never materialized.

The Seagulls follow the torpor at Old Trafford

“Let’s give Brighton some credit before criticizing Manchester United,” Roy Keane said on Sky Sports at half-time, before immediately speaking in scathing terms about his old club. And that’s what probably hurts the most for United today: it’s all so familiar. There were shades of Louis van Gaal’s debut defeat to Swansea City in 2013, which followed a preseason of hope, renewal and optimism. At least everyone is a little bit longer in the tooth now.

Keane’s sentiment was correct. On paper, this is the 20-time champions of England losing to a team that has traditionally resided a good distance away from the top division. But Brighton are a problem for anyone on their day. When Pep Guardiola refers to them as “A Graham Potter team” it speaks volumes of the esteem in which the Albion boss is held by his most celebrated colleagues.

Brighton had a look at the puzzle they had to solve for the first 10 minutes or so, then proceeded to take United to the cleaners, with each delicate pass, turn and switch of play pricking at wounds that have understandably not healed after United’s dire 2021/22.

Reality check for Ten Hag

Potter reverted to a back three in Brighton’s final preseason friendly and stuck with that ploy to fine effect here, mitigating against the effect of losing Marc Cucurella for blockbusting money. A couple of seasons of calm, clear management and a defined …

Football / Sports

Alex Telles Closing In On Move To Sevilla

Telles has suddenly fallen out of favour at United due to the addition of Tyrell Malacia at the club, with the Dutch full back already being named as direct competition for Luke Shaw.

Despite playing more league games than Shaw last season, it’s understood that Telles isn’t directly part of Erik Ten Hag’s plan and that a move away from the club is best suited.

Telles has been listed as a possible exit for some weeks now with many rumors about potential clubs floating around, however it looks like the saga is about to be closed.

The Brazilian full back has been an ever present face in United’s pre season fixtures despite practically being out of the plans.

Telles has picked up valuable minutes and fitness ahead of a move that could happen imminently.

According to a report from Tati Mantovani via TNT Sports Brazil, Telles is set to join Spanish side Sevilla on loan.

“Alex Telles to Sevilla is practically done. Only medical exams and details of the loan contract with Manchester United are missing.”…

Basket Ball / Sports

Man Utd’s Dean Henderson ‘fumes’ at ‘criminal’ waste of season before Nottingham Forest loan

Manchester United’s Dean Henderson, on loan at Nottingham Forest, has made a scathing assessment of his “criminal” season at Old Trafford last year.

Henderson said he was promised the United No 1 jersey after his club form in 2020/21, which had seen him talked about as unseating Jordan Pickford as England’s first-choice goalkeeper ahead of the European Championships last summer.

However, after returning early from the summer tournament with Covid, the then 24-year-old failed to make a single Premier League appearance for the club under either Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Ralf Rangnick, and has subsequently been usurped in the England squad by Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale. A season on the bench left Henderson about his treatment at Old Trafford, and he said:

“The conversation I had, coming out of the Euro squad, was that you’re coming back here to be the number one goalkeeper. I got Covid – unfortunately, no one followed through with anything they told me. I turned so many good loans down last summer, and they wouldn’t let me go. It was frustrating. To sit there and waste 12 months is criminal really, at my age. I was fuming.” Now on loan at Forest, Henderson looks certain to start their season opener with Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday, as the Trees return to the Premier League for the first time since 1999.

On signing for the club last month, the goalkeeper called his discussions with manager Steve Cooper “outstanding” ahead of his decision to move to the City Ground, and told Sky Sports News he felt like a “caged animal” now unleashed ahead of the new season.

He told Sky Sports News: “I can’t wait to get back out there. For me personally, being a caged animal for the last year, to get out there and actually play in front of a full St James’ Park, being the underdogs, is sensational.

“I love playing, the manager has been fantastic with me. I want to play for him. He’s shown some good trust in me and …

Football / Sports

Lingard joins Forest after leaving United

Nottingham Forest pulled off its biggest signing since clinching a return to the Premier League by bringing in Jesse Lingard on a free transfer. The England midfielder was available after ending his 22-year association with Manchester United during the offseason.

Lingard’s move to Forest was announced late Thursday. He is the 11th signing made by the promoted club as it prepares for a first season in the Premier League since 1999. The length of Lingard’s deal was not disclosed.

The 29-year-old Lingard spent the second half of the 2020-21 season on loan at West Ham, scoring nine goals in 16 starts in the league, and he was linked with a permanent move to the London club.…

Football / Sports

Tyrell Malacia signs for #mufc on a four-year contract plus the option of an extra year

“Tyrell [Malacia] is an exciting, dynamic young footballer with excellent experience for his age, including five seasons in the Eredivisie, a European final and full international honours for the Netherlands.

John Murtough: “We look forward to seeing him [Malacia] continue to develop under the guidance of Erik ten Hag and his coaching team in the years ahead. Everyone at #mufc welcomes Tyrell to the club.”

Tyrell Malacia: “It’s an incredible feeling to have joined #mufc. This is a new chapter for me, a new league with new team-mates and a tremendous manager leading us.” “I know from playing against his [Ten Hag] teams in the Eredivisie, the qualities that he has and what he demands of his players. “Whilst I know that I am still young and will continue to develop, I can promise the #mufc fans that I will leave everything on the pitch every time I pull on the red shirt.…

Football / Sports

Red Devils steal a point at Old Trafford

The Red Devils and Blues traded goals, only not in that order, as the hosts stole a point they didn’t deserve in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Marcos Alonso fired Chelsea ahead right on the hour mark, but Cristiano Ronaldo hit back in Manchester United’s only truly dangerous moment two minutes later.

The draw sees Chelsea (66 points) move to six points clear of 4th-place Arsenal (60 points) as everyone in the top-five, including Tottenham (58 points), has now played the same number of games (33) once again.

Manchester United vs Chelsea final score, stats, results

Final score: Man United 1, Chelsea 1

Goal scorers: Man United (Alonso 60′), Chelsea (Ronaldo 62′)

Shots: Man United 6, Chelsea 21

Shots on target: Man United 3, Chelsea 6

Possession: Man United 35%, Chelsea 65%

3 things we learned – Manchester United vs Chelsea

1. Fight drained from Man United players: To call Manchester United’s squad and tactics disjointed would be an incredible understatement. The players are not playing for interim manager Ralf Rangnick, so much as they appear to be playing in spite of him. They are not playing for one another either, and some don’t even appear to be motivated to perform for their own self-interests. There is only apathy and disdain. One player would press the ball while three others stood and watched, failing to rotate and fill in any space and/or passing lanes by which the opposing player might try to escape. There’s not a player in the Premier League who can’t successfully play his way out of a one-man “press,” and the Blues sliced through the Red Devils like warm butter. Scott McTominay — bless his heart — tried to want it enough for seven or eight of his teammates currently on auto-pilot, all of whom are paid exponentially more than him, but he was no match for N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Alonso and Kai Havertz. And, still…

2. Chelsea can’t get out of their own way: In the first half, it was

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Football / Sports

Manchester United appoint Erik ten Hag as new Manager

Manchester United have announced the appointment of Erik ten Hag as Men’s First Team Manager, subject to work visa requirements.

The appointment takes effect from the end of this season until June 2025, with the option to extend for a further year.

John Murtough, Football Director, said: “During the past four years at Ajax, Erik has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe, renowned for his team’s attractive, attacking football and commitment to youth.

“In our conversations with Erik leading up to this appointment, we were deeply impressed with his long-term vision for returning Manchester United to the level we want to be competing at, and his drive and determination to achieve that. “We wish Erik the best of luck as he focuses on achieving a successful end to the season at Ajax and look forward to welcoming him to Manchester United this summer.”

Erik ten Hag said: “It is a great honor to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead. I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.

“It will be difficult to leave Ajax after these incredible years, and I can assure our fans of my complete commitment and focus on bringing this season to a successful conclusion before I move to Manchester United.”…

Football / Sports

McTominay goal ousts Villans

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be grinning sardonically after Manchester United’s Fred and Scott McTominay teamed up for the only goal of a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in an FA Cup tie at Old Trafford on Monday.

The much-maligned defensive midfield pair connected for a precision goal early in the match when Fred cut onto his left foot and pinged an arrow into the heart of the box.

Steven Gerrard’s Villans equalized twice but saw both goals taken off the board by VAR.

McTominay doesn’t mind going to the gritty areas to find the ball and earned another big goal in his young career.

The Red Devils put 9 of their 13 shots on target but only found the McTominay goal, and Villa had 57 percent possession in registering 10 shots of their own.

United completes the fourth-round field and will host Middlesbrough between Feb. 4-7.

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Football / News / Sports

‘You cannot turn down Manchester United’: Ralf Rangnick unveiled as manager to begin club’s new era

Manchester United stepped into a new era on Friday morning as the German innovator Ralf Rangnick was unveiled as new interim manager in the club’s boldest move since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure eight years ago.

Less than 12 hours after caretaker Michael Carrick walked away from the club – marking the last of Ferguson’s 2008 Champions League winners to leave Old Trafford, having played and then coached at United ever since – the 63-year-old Rangnick gave a measured press conference in which he hailed Cristiano Ronaldo, warned of the “big” gap to the Premier League’s three, and hinted he could stay on permanently.

Rangnick has walked away from a brief stint as sporting director at Lokomotiv Moscow where he was charged with overhauling the club as he had done so successively at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig before. He revealed he turned down an interim position at Chelsea in February because it was only short-term, whereas United offered him a two-year consultancy role after this season to use his considerable experience guiding the hierarchy. “If a club like Manchester United contacts you for such a role, you cannot possibly turn it down.”

His first recommendation at the end of the season could be to hire Ralf Rangnick. “The people with whom I’ve spoken so far, they’ve been very clear we’re talking about a six-and-a-half month role. Maybe if it goes well and they ask me, I might make the same recommendation as I did twice at Leipzig – to continue with me.”

One of the most interesting aspects of the coming weeks will be to witness how Rangnick’s relationship with Ronaldo unfolds. Rangnick has been dubbed the ‘godfather of gegenpressing’ and his philosophy on determinedly winning the ball high up the pitch has been adopted and adapted by Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann, now at Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern Munich respectively, and it is not a strategy naturally suited to the 36-year-old Ronaldo.

But after watching from the stands as Ronaldo scored twice to sink Arsenal on Thursday night, …

Football / Sports

EPL Updates

West Ham 1-2 Manchester United – De Gea saves late penalty!

Manchester United return to Premier League action on Sunday (14:00 BST) as they face West Ham United at the London Stadium. The Red Devils suffered a disappointing last minute defeat to Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday, and will be hoping to bounce back against the Hammers.

Thiago Silva, N’Golo Kante and Antonio Rudiger sink Spurs

Played out in the shadow of a legend, who illuminated not only Tottenham and Chelsea but English football in its entirety, bitter rivals were brought together on a day of grief but also in celebration of the great Jimmy Greaves, whose passing on Sunday morning shone more glory on this fixture than 90 minutes could ever dictate on the pitch below.…

Entertainment / Football / Music / Sports

Burna Boy attends Man United’s game at Old Trafford, brings out Paul Pogba at his set at Parklife festival

Nigerian music superstar Burna Boy had a busy day on Saturday, September 11, attending a Manchester United game and performing at a festival.

Burna Boy was at Old Trafford to watch Manchester United beat Newcastle United 4-1 in a Premier League game.

The music star got the treatment as he sat in Paul Pogba’s box and was gifted Manchester United’s home and away jerseys with his name on them.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CTsEq6UIqIe/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=829d9b10-0c62-413e-9a9a-02a01bfb78f2

He had his visit on video, which he shared on social media; “Couldn’t come to Manchester without supporting my brother @paulpogba,” he wrote.

The 30-year-old is seen in the video celebrating one of Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals at the stadium and meeting a host of Pogba’s family.

He also met UK rapper Stormzy at the game.

After the game, he headed straight to the Parklife festival, where he performed.

He made his set even more memorable by bringing on his friend Pogba on stage.

 

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Football / Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo re-signs for Manchester United from Juventus

Man Utd announced they had reached an agreement with Juventus to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo on Friday; Premier League club will pay €15m (£12.9m) plus a further €8m (£6.9m) in add-ons for the Portugal captain, who completed a medical in Lisbon over the weekend.

United announced they had reached an agreement with Juventus for the 36-year-old forward to return to Old Trafford on Friday.

The Premier League club will pay €15m (£12.9m) plus a further €8m (£6.9m) in add-ons for the Portugal captain, who completed a medical in Lisbon over the weekend.

Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games for United between 2003 and 2009, winning three Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two League Cups.

“Manchester United is a club that has always had a special place in my heart, and I have been overwhelmed by all the messages I have received since the announcement on Friday,” Ronaldo said.

“I cannot wait to play at Old Trafford in front of a full stadium and see all the fans again. I’m looking forward to joining up with the team after the international games, and I hope we have a very successful season ahead.”

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who played with Ronaldo during his previous spell at United, added: “You run out of words to describe Cristiano.…

Football / Sports

Romelu Lukaku Returns to Chelsea

One of the most prolific strikers in European football, Lukaku has returned to the club he supported as a young boy and where he has unfinished business, having been on our books between 2011 and 2014. The Belgian has signed a five-year contract and will add attacking firepower to Thomas Tuchel’s squad of European champions.

‘I’m happy and blessed to be back at this wonderful club,’ said Lukaku. ‘It’s been a long journey for me: I came here as a kid who had a lot to learn, now I’m coming back with a lot of experience and more mature.

‘The relationship I have with this club means so much to me, as you know. I have supported Chelsea as a kid and now to be back and try to help them win more titles is an amazing feeling.

The way the club is going fits my ambitions perfectly at 28 and just coming off winning Serie A. I think this opportunity comes at the right time and hopefully we can have a lot of success together.

‘Since I left Chelsea, it’s been a long journey with a lot of ups and downs, but these experiences made me strong and the challenge is to try to help the team win some more trophies. I can’t wait to get started and to help the club achieve more success.’

Aged just 18 when he arrived at Stamford Bridge from Anderlecht in his homeland in the summer of 2011, he made 15 Chelsea appearances in three seasons, two of which were largely spent on loan, before moving on to Everton, Manchester United and Inter Milan. While at Inter, Lukaku was named the Europa League Player of the Season in 2019/20, before playing an integral part as the Italian side won Serie A last season. His 24 goals and 11 assists earned him the competition’s MVP award.

Now 28, he was named in UEFA’s team of the tournament for Euro 2020, during which he netted four times in Belgium’s run to the quarter-finals, where they …

Football / Sports

Europa League final: Villarreal vs Manchester United

UEFA Europa League final Kicks off time: 20:00 BST on Wednesday between Villarreal and Manchester United and it promises to be a Showdown.

 

If Manchester United beat Villarreal on Wednesday, they will have two Europa League wins since 2016. So will Sevilla, the UEFA Cup’s resident specialists.

It reflects the Anglicisation of a tournament the Spanish clubs have tended to dominate. There was an all-English final in 2019; there could have been another this year.

 

Premier League clubs are taking the Europa League more seriously

 

Solskjaer’s United were Europa League semi-finalists last season as well, losing to Sevilla, and in the last four campaigns, the Premier League has had three sides exit in the last four: Arsenal twice and United.

It marks a distinct change from the five seasons from 2010 to 2015 when Chelsea were the lone semi-finalists, let alone finalists, and in four of those five campaigns, England had no representative in the last eight.

Perhaps the UEFA Cup has not had such a concerted challenge from England since the 1970s when, in the space of five seasons, Tottenham and Liverpool (twice) were winners and Wolves and Spurs runners-up.

It should be more feasible still for a Premier League outfit to prosper in the Europa Conference League next season. Whether, without the prize of a Champions League place for the winners, Tottenham deem it worthwhile is another matter

But even in the heyday of English clubs in the Cup Winners’ Cup, they never claimed all three European trophies in the same season; maybe a historic first beckons.

Yet with two all-English finals in the Champions League in the space of three seasons and an English grand slam of finalists in 2019, if Europe may fear English domination, at least the Conference League, with a solitary club from each of the top five domestic leagues, is guaranteed to see someone else in the final.

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