Manchester United Europa League fixture dates confirmed as campaign begins with a twist

Manchester United will begin their Europa League campaign on a Wednesday night in a twist to kickstart the new revamped tournament.

Although the remainder of United’s matches are in a more familiar Thursday evening slot, their opening match against FC Twente will take place at Old Trafford on Wednesday 25 September.

The match against Erik ten Hag’s boyhood club will be followed by a trip to face FC Porto, before a reunion with Jose Mourinho and former midfielders Fred and Sofyan Amrabat when they travel to Fenerbahce on the third matchday.

United then host Greek side PAOK and Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt in consecutive home matches at Old Trafford, with the final European tie of the year coming when they meet Czech side Viktoria Plzen. The clash with Plzen is the only one of United’s league matches that begins at the earlier kick-off time of 17:45 GMT.

Unlike in previous competitions, United’s group campaign will continue into the next calendar year when they host Rangers in Manchester and finish the league stage against FCSB in Romania.

As part of the revamped competition, the top eight sides in the 36-team league phase will qualify to the round of 16, while sides finishing between ninth to 24th will compete in a seeded two-legged knockout tie to advance. Those who finish in 25th or lower will be eliminated from the competition.

Manchester United's Europa League dates:

Wed 25 Sep: Twente (H)

Thurs 3 Oct: Porto (A)

Thurs 24 Oct: Fenerbahçe (A)

Thurs 7 Nov: PAOK (H)

Thurs 28 Nov: Bodø/Glimt (H)

Thurs 12 Dec: Viktoria Plzeň (A)

Thurs 23 Jan: Rangers (H)

Thurs 30 Jan: FCSB (A)