Football
Europa League: Favourable draws for Arsenal and Man United
Manchester United were handed Real Sociedad, Sheriff Tiraspol and Cyprus’ Omonoia in their Europa League group-stage campaign, while Arsenal were drawn alongside PSV Eindhoven.
Erik ten Hag’s side will face a reunion with Spanish team Sociedad, who they played in the 2020-21 Europa League knockout stages under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, which United won 4-0 on aggregate.
Sheriff Tiraspol from Moldova famously beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu last season in the Champions League group stages, while Cypriot side Omonoia are currently managed by former Celtic captain and boss Neil Lennon.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners will host Dutch side PSV, who lost to Rangers in the Champions League play-off round on Wednesday night, along with Bodo/Glimt from Norway and Swiss team FC Zurich.
Arsenal and PSV last met in the 2007 Champions League, with the Dutch side stunning Arsene Wenger’s team 2-1 on aggregate in the last-16 knockout round.
Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt thrashed Jose Mourinho’s Roma 6-1 at home in the Europa Conference League group stages last season, but eventually lost to the Serie A side in the competition’s quarter-final round. The Gunners will also meet Swiss champions FC Zurich for the first time in their history.
Mourinho’s Roma, meanwhile, were paired with FC Ludogorets, Spanish side Real Betis – managed by former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini – and Finnish team HJK.
Group stage 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, FC Sheriff, Omonia Nicosia
Group F: Lazio, Feyenoord, FC Midtjylland, SK Sturm Graz
Group G: Olympiakos, Qarabag, Freiburg, Nantes
Group H: Red Star Belgrade, Monaco, Ferencvaros TC, Trabzonspor
