Dundalk and Manchester United in the same European draw. Did you ever think you'd see the day?
The groups for the 2016/17 Europa League were drawn in Monaco on Friday, with huge Irish interest in the events. Dundalk couldn't overcome Legia Warsaw in the Champions League playoffs, but can console themselves by entering the draw with the likes of United, Southampton, and Italian giants Inter and Roma.
The 22 play-off winners, the ten losing teams from the UEFA Champions League play-offs and the 16 sides entering at this stage make up the 48 clubs that go into the group stage draw, that will see 12 groups of four teams each.
Two European giants in #UELdraw Pot 1! pic.twitter.com/71ejMu8q6f
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) August 26, 2016
2016/17 Europa League Draw:
Group A:
Manchester United were the first team out of the pot into Group A. But the story of the group is Robin van Persie returning to two of his former clubs - Man United and Feyenoord. Zorya is the team that complete their group.
Group D:
Stephen Kenny's men didn't get the dream trip to Old Trafford or Milan that they were hoping for. In fact, it's not a glamourous group at all. Trips to Russia and Israel are on the cards for Dundalk - after they drew Zenit St. Petersburg, AZ Alkmaar, and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
It should mean that the likes of Axel Wistel and Ron Vlaar will be coming to Ireland though.
Thank God Dundalk can now afford the 'illegal banner' fines they'll doubtless receive when Maccabi Tel-Aviv rock into Dublin.
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) August 26, 2016
Group K:
Shane Long faces a trip to Milan as Southampton were drawn in the same group as Inter in one of the ties of the round. Long trips to Sparta Prague (Praha), and Beer-Sheva are also in store.
The first games will take place on the 15th of September.
The Full draw is here (click for bigger image).
The official result of the #UELdraw pic.twitter.com/5Aw0eSrGaf
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) August 26, 2016
