Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United and Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham will embark on an eight-match journey in the newly formatted Europa League, which now features a league phase rather than the traditional group stage.
Manchester United is set for an intriguing encounter with their former manager, Jose Mourinho, as they navigate the first stage of this season’s Europa League, alongside Tottenham. The competition’s new structure will see teams play against eight different opponents—four at home and four away—before progressing to the knockout rounds scheduled for early 2025.
One of the standout fixtures for United is a trip to face Mourinho’s current team, Fenerbahce. Both United and Spurs are also scheduled to play against Rangers, with the Scottish team visiting Old Trafford at some point between September and December, while Tottenham will head to Glasgow. The specific dates for these matches are expected to be announced on Saturday.
Mourinho last crossed paths with United in April 2021, during his tenure as Tottenham’s manager. Now at the helm of Fenerbahce, Mourinho took over the Turkish club this summer but was unable to secure a spot in the Champions League.
United may also come up against familiar faces in midfielders Fred and Sofyan Amrabat, the latter of whom is nearing a move to Fenerbahce as the transfer window in Turkey closes on September 13. Fred, having spent the past season in Istanbul, recently celebrated his first hat-trick.
This season’s Europa League final will take place at San Mames, the home stadium of Athletic Bilbao, on May 21, 2025. United last lifted the trophy in 2017 under Mourinho’s guidance, triumphing 2-0 over Ajax in Stockholm. However, their most recent appearance in the final, in 2021, ended in a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Villarreal after a 1-1 draw.
Will either Manchester United or Tottenham claim the Europa League title this season? Share your predictions in the comments!
Tottenham, who have won the competition twice before—first in 1972 and again in 1984—were last seen in the Europa League during the 2020-21 season. Their campaign that year ended in a surprising exit at the hands of Dinamo Zagreb in the round of 16, under Mourinho’s management.
Full Fixtures:
- Manchester United: Rangers (H), Porto (A), PAOK (H), Fenerbahce (A), Bodo/Glimt (H), Viktoria Plzen (A), Twente (H), Steaua Bucuresti (A)
- Tottenham: Roma (H), Rangers (A), AZ Alkmaar (H), Ferencvaros (A), Qarabag (H), Galatasaray (A), Elfsborg (H), Hoffenheim (A)
