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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Josh Challies

Manchester United avoid potential Champions League group of death after Europa League defeat

Manchester United's season ended in disappointing fashion following defeat in the Europa League final against Villarreal.

Following a 1-1 draw, with the two teams unable to be separated with the addition of extra time, the penalty shootout went just as far - and ultimately ended 11-10 in the Spanish side's favour as David de Gea saw his penalty saved.

It represents a major blow for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, who were looking to win their first trophy in four years.

However, fans frantically searching for one piece of silver lining to reduce their gloom have been handed a minor snippet.

Who do you want to face in the Champions League next season? Let us know in the comments below.

United's defeat means that they will not take a spot in pot 1 for the Champions League group stage draw next season, instead finding themselves in pot 2.

While that would have previously been considered a negative, this season has seen many significant changes at the top of the pile elsewhere in Europe.

United find other huge names among them in the second pot, which also includes Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Sevilla - all of whom will not be paired with United.

Instead, United will face one of Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Lille, Inter Milan, Sporting CP or Villarreal - with Zenit St. Petersburg another possible opponent if Manchester City win this weekend's Champions League final.

Borussia Dortmund could be another side that United may avoid, with the Bundesliga outfit potentially in pot 2, but there are other testing clashes in pot 3 and pot 4.

That includes AC Milan, who United defeated on their run to the Europa League final, Ajax, RB Leipzig and Atalanta.

Pot 1

Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Lille, Inter Milan, Sporting CP, Villarreal.

Pot 2

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Liverpool, Sevilla, Manchester United.

Pot 3

Ajax, RB Leipzig, Atalanta

Pot 4

AC Milan, Wolfsburg

TBC

Chelsea, Zenit St. Petersburg, Borussia Dortmund, Porto, Besiktas, Dynamo Kiev, Club Brugge

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