Manchester United secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League on Thursday to secure their qualification for the next round.
However, with Real Sociedad also claiming a 2-0 victory over Omonia Nicosia, it will come down to the winners of the last group match between Sociedad and United to see who ends up top of the group.
The winners will go directly to the round of 16, while the second-placed team will have to play a two-leg tie against those eliminated from the Champions League.
Barça joins United in Europe
This season, some big names are expected to come out of the Champions League, including Ajax, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
Old Trafford is special ❤️⚽️@ManUtd pic.twitter.com/RmUyagYPaD
— Diogo Dalot (@DalotDiogo) October 27, 2022
The Catalan giants had a huge summer transfer window, buying as many as eight players with United’s long-term target Frenkie de Jong refusing to play in the Europa League, which had an effect in thwarting their proposal. moving to Old Trafford.
Xavi failed to navigate through the group stage for the second consecutive season and now the Catalan giants have decided to strongly reinforce the squad in January.
SPORT have revealed that their targets include a right-back and they are looking for a full-back “who physically helps the team from behind, but who is also capable of reaching the baseline and contributing offensively”.
Until now, Xavi has used makeshift players like Sergi Roberto or centre-backs like Ronald Araujo and Jules Koundé to cover that gap. But his dream target is United right-back Diogo Dalot.
The Portuguese youngster’s contract with the 20-time English champions will end next season, although United still have the option of a further year increase.
Will Dalot stay at United?
The Red Devils want to offer him new terms and, according to previous reports, Dalot is likely to accept, but he wants to wait until the end of the World Cup to take one last call in a bid to get the best possible deal.
Barcelona are not the only big European club after the 23-year-old, whose rivals Real Madrid, AC Milan and Roma are also interested in his services.
But according to SPORT reports, the Catalan giants have been warned that “it will be practically impossible to get him out” in January.
United fans are hoping the club can strike a new deal with the former Porto full-back as soon as possible and may also get a backup option with Ten Hag having to start Dalot in every game this season.
