UEFA Europa League 2016/17

[The Lusophone]

Bilbao are also out.

[Lineker]

Bilbaout.

[The Lusophone]

Almost as bad as cupset.

[Adam]

Nothing will ever be as bad as that.

[Baddar]

So, a first leg trip to Russia aside, that draw worked out perfectly. Lyon and Roma paired together too. Lovely.

 

[DavidMarrio]

Typical jammy draw...

[Adam]

Gent v Genk is the real stand-out tie.

[Baddar]

3 hours ago, Davidmarrio said:

Typical jammy draw...

We deserve it after drawing you guys at this stage last season!

Providing my mate can get the time off work, I'll be heading to the 2nd leg.

[DavidMarrio]

31 minutes ago, Baddar said:

We deserve it after drawing you guys at this stage last season!

Providing my mate can get the time off work, I'll be heading to the 2nd leg.

And what a glorious two legs it was

If I was Mourinho, I'd be taking this competition very seriously especially given the way the draw has happened. It's a weaker final 16 compared to last year and your biggest competitors are all playing each other. It's a very achievable trophy and a good way to ensure champions league football.

It didn't bother me whatsoever that we started to prioritise the competition over the league. Obviously you's can't afford to do that as 4th is still very much in reach and our situation was different last year. 

I mean obviously I hope yous get the final and then get tonked but this is a very good chance of winning a cup and qualifying for Champion League, it could quite possibly be an easier path then finishing top 4. 

[Baddar]

Tbf, he's taken it seriously from the beginning. He's played strong teams throughout every competition this season - our "weakest" line up was probably against Northampton in the EFL Cup, and even that wasn't full of under 23's or anything. 

[MDK]

6 hours ago, Adam said:

Gent v Genk is the real stand-out tie.

I believe Gent is pronounced "Gaunt" 

[Baddar]

Mkhitaryan is part of the 20-man squad that has travelled to Russia for Thursday's game with FC Rostov.

[Lineker]

Rostov: Medvedev, Kalachev, Mevlja, Cesar Navas, Granat, Kudryashov, Noboa, Erokhin, Gatcan, Poloz, Bukharov.
Subs: Goshev, Terentjev, Kireev, Bayramyan, Azmoun, Prepelita.

Manchester United: Romero, Rojo, Jones, Smalling, Blind, Ander Herrera, Pogba, Fellaini, Mkhitaryan, Young, Ibrahimovic.
Subs: de Gea, Mata, Martial, Lingard, Carrick, Rashford, Valencia.

Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany).

Rostov make one change from the XI sent out to thrash Tom Tomsk last Friday. Dimitriy Poloz replaces Sardar Azmoun up front. United name seven different starters from the Bournemouth game last Saturday. Sergio Romero, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Ashley Young, Ander Herrera, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marouane Fellaini are back in. David de Gea, Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial drop to the bench, with Wayne Rooney and Luke Shaw out of it completely.

[Baddar]

I would have saved Mkhi for Monday because we're gonna need him with Ibra out. 

No idea how this one will go. We've been hot and cold away in Europe for years and Rostov have a good home record. I'd take a score draw right now.

[MDK]

25 minutes ago, Baddar said:

We've been hot and cold away in Europe

Certainly going to be cold tonight

[Baddar]

3 CB's for us tonight, perhaps a warm up for Chelsea on Monday. 

[MDK]

This pitch is shocking 

Zlatan checking to see if that was a proper elbow, good to see.

[Baddar]

Shit ref, shit pitch, decent result.

[MDK]

5 minutes ago, Baddar said:

Shit ref, shit pitch, decent result.

On the plus side the United players can take back a good haul of potatoes from that farmers field of a pitch.

[Baddar]

Bit of a nothing game but we'll take the narrow win and a place in the quarters!