Manchester United travel to Real Sociedad in the Europa League as Ruben Amorim's squad attempt to put one foot in the quarter-final.
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Paul Merson has delivered his four favourites for the Europa League
Paul Merson has delivered his four favourites for the Europa League
(Image: Getty Images)
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson believes Manchester United are not one of the four favourites to win the Europa League ahead of their round of 16 first leg trip to Real Sociedad on Thursday evening.
Ruben Amorim's side enjoyed a fine end to the new league phase format, winning their last five matches to finish third, and book an automatic route to the last-16. After drawing their first three games, United beat PAOK, Bodo / Glimt, Viktoria Plzen, Rangers and FCSB to finish on 18 points from a possible 24.
That meant that United avoided a two-legged play-off tie in February and progressed to the round of 16 against a team that finished between ninth and 24th in the league. After the eight play-off matches concluded, United were drawn up against Sociedad, who beat Danish side FC Midtjylland to reach this stage, in the last-16.
But despite finishing in third spot in the league phase and in excellent form in the Europa League, Merson doesn't think United are one of the four favourites to win Europe's secondary competition.
Speaking ahead of United's first leg clash vs Sociedad, Merson told Sky Sports: "If you look at the Europa League, Tottenham, Lyon, Athletic Bilbao and Lazio are the four teams to win it.
"Tottenham have got a chance if they can get players fit - but they've got to get through AZ Alkmaar. Tottenham are a team where you've just got to make sure you're not out of it.
"I watched AZ Alkmaar the other week at Galatasaray in the second leg, they've got some pace up front and they were electric up front. They blew Galatasaray away and Galatasaray were fortunate to get a 2-2 draw.
"I don't know how Tottenham will live with them at their ground because it's a big old pitch - and it's a dangerous game - but over two legs I'd expect Tottenham to go through.
"If Tottenham win this and get in the Champions League, they've had their best season ever. But Bilbao would be my little dark horses there. They've got Roma, which is a hard game."
Merson added that he isn't sure if United are going to beat Sociedad and progress through to the quarter-final. He fears for Amorim's side following their dire FA Cup fifth-round exit against Fulham on Sunday.
"I watched Manchester United in the FA Cup and can't remember them having a shot apart from Bruno Fernandes' brilliant goal," Merson continued.
"They just huff and puff and there's nothing there. It's extraordinary. This is no disrespect to Fulham, but half the Fulham players would get in the United team. So I don't know if United defeat Real Sociedad on Thursday in the Europa League. It's a heads or tails game. I just can't see it."