Europa League draw: key dates and Man Utd’s path to the 2022/23 final

Manchester United will compete in the Europa League next season after their sixth place finish in the Premier League last campaign.
Aiden Beswick
By Aiden Beswick
Published 3rd Aug 2022, 20:14 BST
Updated 23rd Aug 2022, 10:21 BST
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Manchester United will be one of 32 teams to discover who they will have in their Europa League group at the end of the month.

The Red Devils last competed in the competition during the 202/21 campaign after dropping out of the Champions League group stage.

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They entered the Europa League in the round of 32, eventually progressing to the final against Villarreal.

It was a night to forget for United fans, however, with the club losing 11-10 on penalties to their Spanish opponents.

United have only won the Europa League once in 217, beating Ajax 2-0. Credit: Getty. United have only won the Europa League once in 217, beating Ajax 2-0. Credit: Getty.
United have only won the Europa League once in 217, beating Ajax 2-0. Credit: Getty.

But the Red Devils will be hoping to repeat their 2017 success in the competition under new boss Erik ten Hag when it begins in September.

This year the group stage of the competition set to be completed by 3 November ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar later that month.

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Here’s all the information you need to know ahead of the Europa League group stage draw…

When is the Europa League draw?

The Europa League group stage draw is set to take place on Friday 26 August in Istanbul, Turkey.

What time is the draw?

The draw is set to take place at 12pm BST, that’s 2pm local time.

Which teams have qualified so far?

United are among 16 clubs, at the time of writing, to have qualified for the competition so far. They are as follows:

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Roma (ITA), Manchester United (ENG), Arsenal (ENG), Lazio (ITA), Braga (POR), Feyenoord (NED), Rennes (FRA), Real Sociedad (ESP),Real Betis (ESP), Union Berlin (GER), Freiburg (GER), Nantes (FRA), Monaco (FRA), Sturm Graz (AUT), Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL) and Midtjylland (DEN).

When will the group stage begin?

United will face each of their three group stage opponents twice with the following dates schedule:

United lost the 2021 final 11-10 on penalties to Villarreal. Credit: Getty. United lost the 2021 final 11-10 on penalties to Villarreal. Credit: Getty.
United lost the 2021 final 11-10 on penalties to Villarreal. Credit: Getty.

Matchday 1: 8 September 2022

Matchday 2: 15 September 2022

Matchday 3: 6 October 2022

Matchday 4: 13 October 2022

Fernandes didn’t have his best season for the Red Devils last term but still registered 16 goal contributions in the league. He will no doubt remain in the line-up next season.Fernandes didn’t have his best season for the Red Devils last term but still registered 16 goal contributions in the league. He will no doubt remain in the line-up next season.
Fernandes didn’t have his best season for the Red Devils last term but still registered 16 goal contributions in the league. He will no doubt remain in the line-up next season.

Matchday 5: 27 October 2022

Matchday 6: 3 November 2022

When will the knock-out phase take place?

United, should they finish in the top two of their group, will begin the knock-out phase of the competition either 16 February, or 9 March, depending on their final group position.

If the Red Devils finish top of their group, they will progress directly to the round of 16 phase. However, if they end the group as runners-up, they will have to face one of eight Champions League third-place teams in the knockout play-off round.

Manchester United and England player Marcus Rashford has sent a gift of thanks to a Burnley schoolboy who has raised money to help keep foodbanks stocked for families struggling to make ends meetManchester United and England player Marcus Rashford has sent a gift of thanks to a Burnley schoolboy who has raised money to help keep foodbanks stocked for families struggling to make ends meet
Manchester United and England player Marcus Rashford has sent a gift of thanks to a Burnley schoolboy who has raised money to help keep foodbanks stocked for families struggling to make ends meet

Knockout round play-offs: 16 & 23 February

Round of 16: 9 & 16 March 2023

Quarter-finals: 13 & 20 April 2023

Semi-finals: 11 & 18 May 2023

Final: 31 May 2023

Where will the final be held?

The Europa League final is set to take place at the Puskas Arena on 31 May 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.

Related topics:Europa LeaguePremier LeagueChampions LeagueVillarreal

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