Manchester United's manager, Erik ten Hag, is desperate to avoid clubs that dropped out of the Champions League and entered the Europa League.

The Dutchman takes the Red Devils to Real Sociedad for their final Group E fixture on Thursday night.

United have to defeat the LaLiga side by two goals or more to qualify for the last 16 of the Europa League.

Failure to do so would see the Premier League side finish in second place and be drawn against any of the eight dropouts in a play-off round.

That includes Barcelona, Ajax, Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting Lisbon, and Juventus.

“It’s clear. Obviously, it’s important that we win. We know what we have to do: make up two goals' difference.

“But we like these challenges. "If you want to win a trophy, you have to beat everyone,” Ten Hag said at the Reale Arena on Wednesday.

Sociedad have won all five of their group games so far, conceding just one goal.