The Europa League's inaugural league phase has ended with Lazio topping the table and Manchester United and Tottenham finishing in the top eight

Format, fixtures, more ]Premier League sides Manchester United (3rd - 18 points) and Tottenham (4th - 17 points) are two of the eight that will avoid the first knockout round. Lazio (19 points) finished top with Athletic Bilbao behind them only on goal difference.

A club of Manchester United’s stature should be good enough to win the Europa League, to conquer some of the continent’s weaker, less affluent rivals and give Ruben Amorim a major trophy in his first season.