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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Sometimes you’ve got to take a step back to take two steps forward.
After finishing sixth in the Premier League last season, Manchester United face the ignominy of Thursday night football, likely traipsing to the far reaches of Europe to play teams most of us have never heard of.
But whilst the turnout is likely to be sparse, the away trips to unknown places tiring, and the prospect of Thursday night football hardly something to shout about, it could very well be a brilliant blessing.
As European football’s ‘second-tier’ competition, there is certainly far less riding on it than a typical Champions League game. The glitz and glam is non-existent, and whilst UEFA have tried their best to replicate a similar atmosphere, it simply doesn’t get away from the fact that it doesn’t involve the biggest and best Europe has to offer. But, what it does allow for, is a platform for lesser teams, and in United’s case, players, to shine.
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Arsenal’s Europa League run last year saw them field a host of youngsters, particularly in the opening group stages, and a few of them have now featured prominently in pre-season. Academy products and fringe stars got the chance to play regularly and get exposure to senior football. For United, that could be crucial.
Pre-season has already shown that the Red Devils have an abundance of youth talent just waiting to burst through, but they need proper opportunities during the season.
If the Red Devils were in the Champions League, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would feel very hesitant to throw them in at the deep end. The Europa League allows the United boss a safety net of knowing that his teenage stars could quite conceivably handle themselves against the calibre of opposition they will be facing.
After a quite difficult period following Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, United are undoubtedly in rebuild mode. Affording valuable first-team minutes to the likes of Mason Greenwood and Angel Gomes will stand them in good stead and help progress their development much quicker. Academy football is all well and good, but seeing if you can cut it against fellow senior players is where rising stars either sink or swim.
In United’s case this season, the Europa League could well turn out to be a silver lining amidst all their recent struggles and a golden chance for Solskjaer to test his pre-season starlets in real competitive action, furthering their development for greater challenges down the line.