Europa League draw: Man Utd to meet two unfamiliar opponents and one beaten in 2021; Arsenal learn fate in Group A

Manchester United will face a relatively recent European opponent but also two sides they have never met, while Arsenal have also learned their fate after the Europa League draw for the group stage.

Manchester United are in the Europa League after finishing sixth in the Premier League last season. Last time they were in this particular UEFA competition, they lost the final in 2021.

They will be in Group E to start with this season, in which they will have to face Real Sociedad from Spain, Sheriff Tiraspol from Moldova and Omonia from Cyprus.

Manchester United beat La Real in the 2020-21 version of the Europa League at the Round of 32 stage. Sheriff famously beat Real Madrid in the group stage of last season’s Champions League; they and Omonia will be facing United for the first time in their histories.

Arsenal, meanwhile, came close to a Champions League return last term but ultimately had to settle for Europa League involvement after coming fifth in the domestic division.

Not in Europe at all last term, they reached the semi-final of this tournament in their last attempt in 2020-21.

The first name out of the hat, they will be in Group A along with Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven, north Norwegians Bodo/Glimt and Swiss side FC Zurich.

PSV last faced Arsenal in the 2006-07 Champions League, when they eliminated the Premier League side. Obviously, much has changed since. Incidentally, Bodo/Glimt are new opponents for the Gunners, as are FC Zurich.

The group stage begins on September 8. The final of this season’s Europa League will take place on May 31 in Budapest, Hungary.

Europa League draw in full

Group A

Arsenal

PSV Eindhoven

Bodo/Glimt

FC Zurich

Group B

Dynamo Kyiv

Rennes

Fenerbahce

AEK Larnaca

Group C

Roma

Ludogorets

Real Betis

HJK Helsinki

Group D

Braga

Malmo

Union Berlin

Union Saint-Gilloise

Group E

Manchester United

Real Sociedad

Sheriff Tiraspol

Omonia

Group F

Lazio

Feyenoord

Midtjylland

Sturm Graz

Group G

Olympiacos

Qarabag

Freiburg

Nantes

Group H

Red Star Belgrade

Monaco

Ferencvaros

Trabzonspor