Europa League and Europa Conference League: Man Utd looking to bounce back; David Moyes faces another crucial West Ham test

With the Europa League and Europa Conference League last-16 ties getting under way on Thursday, Sky Sports’ football writers look at the big talking points.

Europa League and selected Europa Conference League last-16 fixtures

Union Berlin vs Union Saint-Gilloise – kick-off 5.45pm
Bayer Leverkusen vs Ferencvaros – kick-off 5.45pm
Roma vs Real Sociedad – kick-off 5.45pm
Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal – kick-off 5.45pm
Juventus v Freiburg – kick-off 8pm
Man Utd vs Real Betis – kick-off 8pm
Sevilla vs Fenerbahce – kick-off 8pm
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Feyenoord – kick-off 8pm
AEK Larnaca vs West Ham (ECL) – kick-off 5.45pm

Man Utd look to bounce back from Anfield annihilation

Image: Erik ten Hag (centre) looks on during his side's 7-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield

Manchester United vs Real Betis, kick-off 8pm

How do you respond to being thrashed 7-0 at the home of your biggest rivals? It’s not the kind of result you can just forget about or even move on from after a day or two of soul searching.

The only way Manchester United can recover from that humbling at the hands of Liverpool is to get back on the horse and start winning again.

Fortunately for Erik ten Hag’s side they don’t have to wait long for their first opportunity to get that win on the board, with Real Betis visiting Old Trafford on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

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A victory over the side currently fifth in LaLiga won’t scrub the events at Anfield from the memory, but it would get United back on track and boost their chances of a clean sweep in the cup competitions this season.

However, another negative result – this time in front of their expectant supporters – and fears will only grow that the brittle mentality that helped to scupper Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time in charge remains lurking among Ten Hag’s team.
Joe Shread

Joaquin finally dances with the devils aged 41

Image: Joaquin is a club icon at Real Betis and legend in Seville

Last summer, Joaquin Sanchez decided against retirement, opting to play beyond his 41st birthday. It is for nights like these, under the lights at Old Trafford, that the club icon decided to extend his Real Betis love affair.

During the 2010/11 season at Valencia, Unai Emery overlooked Joaquin on both occasions they faced Manchester United in the Champions League group stage. Belatedly, he has his chance to dance with the devils.

EL: Arsenal draw Sporting; Man Utd face Real Betis | West Ham vs Larnaca in ECL
Europa play-off round-up | Europa League fixtures
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Since his professional debut in 2001, the veteran wide man has earned 52 caps for Spain but many supporters expected him to bow out of the game after Betis’ Copa del Rey triumph last season – the third time he has won the competition in his career.

Under Manuel Pellegrini, the former Manchester City manager of course, he would love to add another magic moment in the Theatre of Dreams.

Image: Joaquin has made over 400 appearances for Betis

The Andalusians kept a clean sheet against Real Madrid at the weekend but the supply line to striker Borja Iglesias has dried up. The 30-year-old has just two goals in his last 13 appearances. Joaquin’s last five appearances have all been cameos but for Pellegrini, this charming man, handing him a starting berth would be more than sentimental.

They will take comfort from frustrating Madrid in their goalless draw, in which Rodri impressed in midfield, while Betis are hoping to have Sergio Canales back in contention having missed the past two matches off the back of three goals in as many games.

Chief creator Nabil Fekir is out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, so the onus could fall once again on Joaquin to roll back the years for Betis.

After scoring in the 3-2 defeat of Ludogorets in the group stage this term, he became the oldest player to achieve the feat in the history of the Europa League at 41 years and 56 days. His first appearance in England came in the Champions League at Chelsea in October 2005 in his first spell at Betis with his last coming in the Europa League a decade on at Tottenham.

But Joaquin is not done yet.
Ben Grounds

Should Arteta ring the changes?

Image: Can Arsenal's squad cope with the demands put on them this season?

Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal, kick-off 5.45pm

Arsenal have passed almost every test placed in front of them so far this season.

Can they bounce back from defeat? Can they get to the World Cup top of the Premier League? Can they keep going after World Cup? Can they get a result at Spurs? Can they beat in-form Man Utd? Will they come back from defeat at Man City?

The questions, up until now, have been answered. But what’s next? What happens when European football comes back? Can Arsenal’s squad cope?

Image: Kieran Tierney has been pleased by Arsenal's consistency this season

Back in January, Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher made his feelings clear when discussing his mid-season predictions. “Mikel, if you are watching now, forget Europa League. Arsenal could spend £200m in the summer and they wouldn’t be in this position next season.”

That position is five points clear at the top of the Premier League and it could well force Mikel Arteta to shuffle his pack as he looks to lead his club on two fronts again.

The point has been made many times before that Arteta is a manager that doesn’t rotate often. However, with the position Arsenal are in the league and the work that was done to strengthen the Gunners’ squad in January with the additions of Jorginho, Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior, Arteta needs to trust his squad as he looks to keep his side fresh for what lies ahead.

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Mikel Arteta gives the latest update on the fitness of Gabriel Jesus, ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League first-leg tie against Sporting Lisbon.

It will be hard for Arteta, who could have Gabriel Jesus back at his disposal on Thursday, to “forget Europa League”, especially coming up against a Sporting side who had won all eight of their two-legged UEFA competition knockout ties against English teams before Manchester City ended their streak in last season’s UEFA Champions League round of 16.

But with the Thursday-Sunday fixture grind back, it’s time for Arteta to test his squad depth.
Oliver Yew

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There was good news for Arsenal fans as striker Gabriel Jesus returned to training following his long layoff due to injury. Can Sporting stun the red half of north London?

Sporting took four points off Tottenham in the Champions League group stage this season

Moyes faces another crucial test

Image: David Moyes took West Ham to the Europa League semi-final last season but he is under pressure after a disappointing season

AEK Larnaca vs West Ham, kick-off 5.45pm

Not for the first time this season does David Moyes badly need a result.

The pressure on the West Ham boss has risen again following their 4-0 hammering from Brighton just a week after it had momentarily eased with their own four-goal thrashing of Nottingham Forest.

West Ham’s run to the Europa League semi-finals last season whetted the appetite among supporters for more European adventures.

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League match between Brighton and West Ham.

Their £160m summer investment was meant to inspire another challenge for the top six, but instead the club are a point above the bottom three and won’t be lifting a domestic cup.

Moyes delivered memorable nights against Sevilla and Lyon almost 12 months ago and around 1,600 supporters will descend on Cyprus expecting to overpower the country’s second-best side.

Victory over AEK Larnaca, though, will serve as little else but to set West Ham on their way to the quarter-finals and buy Moyes more time again.
David Richardson

Mourinho trains sights on more Sociedad success

Image: Roma's head coach Jose Mourinho takes on Real Sociedad

Roma vs Real Sociedad, kick-off 5.45pm

Jose Mourinho is rarely out of the headlines for long – and his quench for silverware has Roma well placed to prosper as the Europa League hurtles towards the business end. The Portuguese knows all about Thursday’s opponents Real Soicedad, from his Real Madrid days.

Mourinho has never lost against Sociedad in his career, winning five games and drawing once. But the Basque outfit have been enjoying a very strong season in LaLiga, and currently sit in the Champions League places.

Sociedad have already beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford this season, so visiting a raucous Stadio Olimpico will hold no fear for a side that only appear to have collectively strengthened since the £63m sale of Alexander Isak to Newcastle. The evergreen David Silva returned from injury with a cameo appearance against Cadiz at the weekend.

The 37-year-old has struggled with a calf injury since the start of 2023, but Imanol Alguacil is ready to throw him in from the start him in Rome.

Mourinho, who was sent of for a third time this season recently against Cremonese, is going for a hat-trick of UEFA Cup/Europa League triumphs, and he can take plenty of comfort from his record in the competition as Roma look to build an advantage.

Mourinho has won 14 of his 16 home matches in the Europa League, though the only two games he has failed to win were against Spanish teams; Celta Vigo in May 2017 – 1-1 with Man Utd – and Real Betis this season – a 2-1 defeat.
Ben Grounds

Why Union Berlin’s Urs Fischer is the coach of the year
Inside Freiburg’s unlikely success story
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Sevilla looking for distraction from LaLiga woes

Image: Jorge Sampaoli has won 11 of 27 matches since returning for a second spell at Sevilla

Sevilla vs Fenerbahce, kick-off 8pm

When you think of the Europa League, you think of Sevilla. The Spanish side have won the competition six times, whereas no other team can lay claim to more than three titles.

But when assessing the likely winners this season, it’s hard to make the case for Jorge Sampaoli’s outfit adding to their record haul.

After entering 2022 as LaLiga title contenders thanks to a strong start to last season, Sevilla drifted away during the second half of the campaign under current Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui, and their struggles grew this term to such an extent that Lopetegui was dismissed amid the prospect of a relegation battle.

Sampaoli – the bald-headed, tattooed bundle of anger and energy that oversaw Argentina’s chaotic 2018 World Cup campaign – was brought in to spark a revival that hasn’t properly materialised.

After eight wins in 12 games following the World Cup, Sevilla have drawn one and lost three of their last four matches, and find only goal difference separating them from LaLiga’s relegation zone.

A return to Europa League action will perhaps provide a welcome distraction from their domestic toil, while even triggering memories of happier times.

On the other hand, a failure to eliminate Fenerbahce will only increase the darkness that is closing around Sampaoli and his underperforming side.
Joe Shread

Flying Freiburg out to upset Juventus

Image: Freiburg goalkeeper Mark Flekken is hoping to topple Juventus in Europe

Juventus vs Freiburg, kick-off 8pm

Historically, the gulf is vast. Juventus are two-time champions of Europe. Freiburg are into the last 16 of European competition for the first time. But the German side are fifth in their table while their illustrious opponents are eighth in theirs. This will be interesting.

Speaking to Freiburg goalkeeper Mark Flekken, it is a moment that he has been waiting his whole career for. Until he joined Freiburg in 2018, aged 25, the Dutchman had not even played top-division football let alone competed in Europe. His story sums up this team.

They are not superstars but they do have a plan. Juventus must watch out for set-pieces and they will need to be organised and together – because their opponents will be. Freiburg, the team from the Black Forest guided by Christian Streich, are a club united.

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“They put a very big value on character,” says Flekken. “They really search for those people who will fit in the group. It is one close team. It is not only talent. It is also hard work. That comes on top of everything. If you combine that with talent you can reach the sky.”

Beating Juventus over two legs would be some achievement but Freiburg have already won 3-0 away to Olympiakos and 4-0 at Nantes. If they can keep it close in Turin, they will be optimistic ahead of the second leg – they are unbeaten at home since August.
Adam Bate

Can Union Berlin’s success continue?

Image: Union Berlin continue to defy the odds in the Bundesliga and beyond

Union Berlin vs Union Saint-Gilloise, kick-off 5.45pm

It was a pleasure to go to the Stadion an der Alten Forsterei earlier this season to watch Union Berlin beat Malmo and then follow it up with a win over Borussia Dortmund just days later. The old terraces are rocking in joy and disbelief at what Urs Fischer is serving up.

The 57-year-old Swiss coach has not only taken Union into the Bundesliga but this is their second consecutive season in Europe and they remain on the fringes of a title race they have no right to be involved in. Fischer should be up for world coach of the year.

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They are no monied elite. The success of this modest team can only be explained by the tactics of the coach and the unique energy they are able to create between the side and the supporters – a togetherness that should be the envy of any team in Europe.

Ajax were beaten in the previous round, one of the most memorable results in Union’s history. Now comes a rematch with Union Saint-Gilloise, the resurgent Belgian team that remain the only opponent to beat them on their own ground so far this season.
Adam Bate

Big chance for Alonso’s Leverkusen

Image: Xabi Alonso has made a promising start at Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen vs Ferencvaros, kick-off 5.45pm

Bayer Leverkusen are still playing catch up after their miserable start to the season under Gerardo Seoane that saw the Swiss coach sacked and replaced by Xabi Alonso. The rookie coach has had some positive results but European qualification still looks a stretch.

That puts even more of the focus on making the most of this Europa League campaign and after a turnaround win over Monaco in the previous round, a tie against Ferencvaros represents an opportunity. Leverkusen will expect to reach the quarter-finals.

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Alonso has a young group but a talented one – they beat Atletico Madrid this season before dropping down from the Champions League. Moussa Diaby is a serious prospect. The challenge is to introduce Alonso’s possession game while keeping the pace in their play.

The fit-again Florian Wirtz can help with that. Speaking to sporting director Simon Rolfes about the gifted teenager on a recent trip to Leverkusen, he could not have been clearer about the player’s future. “Huge potential,” Rolfes told Sky Sports.

“From the mental side, he is incredible. How ambitious he is, how focused, stable emotionally. Already at this young age, he is a leader of this team, inspiring with his behaviour. He makes the other players better .” Wirtz will be key against Ferencvaros.
Adam Bate