Manchester United Path In The Europa League Laid Bare

Published December 8, 2011 | By Rolly

Manchester United were dumped out of Europe’s elite cup competition after a 2-1 defeat to Basel so it is adios to the Champions League and hello to the UEFA Europa League!

The draw for the Europa League round of 32 and round of 16 will be held on 16 December 2011 on the same day as the UEFA Champions League last 16 draw.

The draws for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final (to determine the “home” team) will be held on 16 March 2012.

In the draw for the round of 32, the twelve group winners and the four better third-placed teams from the Champions League group stage (which includes both City and United) are seeded.

The twelve group runners-up and the other four third-placed teams from the Champions League group stage are unseeded.

Seeded teams will be drawn against unseeded teams, with the seeded team hosting the second leg at home. The final will be played on 9 May 2012 at the Stadionul Național in Bucharest, Romania.