Brazilian-born, Manchester-dwelling chef Caroline Martins is set to bring a flavour of South American pub food to the city. Her new project Rio-Mex is to open at Hatch, the food court under the Mancunian Way.
23.02.2023 - 18:55 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester United welcome Barcelona to Old Trafford for the first time in almost four years as the Europa League knockout round play-off concludes on Thursday.
The tie between two former Champions League winners is one of seven that remains finely poised ahead of the return leg taking place. Perennial champions of UEFA's second-tier competition, Sevilla, are the only side that seems assured of success by taking a 3-0 aggregate lead over PSV Eindhoven into their second leg.
European giants Ajax, Juventus and Sporting all drew their first legs against Union Berlin, Midtjylland and Nantes, respectively, while three other sides (Monaco, Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk) only won their initial encounters by a one-goal margin, but what happens to the sides that do come out on top in their play-off ties?
READ MORE: When is Europa League last 16 draw? Date, live stream and who United could play
What are the knockout round play-offs?
They were introduced to the Europa League last season to replace the round of 32 as the first stage following the groups. Previously, all 12 group winners and the other dozen runner-ups were joined by the eight third-placed teams from the Champions League group stage.
Now, though, following the inception of the Europa Conference League and subsequent reduction in total teams reaching the tournament proper from 48 to 32, the group winners effectively receive a bye to the round of 16. The eight teams that finished second in their group are joined by the eight teams dropping down from the Champions League to compete in what could be described as a pre-round of 16.
What happens to the winners?
Those that advance through the play-offs will join the eight group winners. They are Arsenal, Fenerbahçe,
Brazilian-born, Manchester-dwelling chef Caroline Martins is set to bring a flavour of South American pub food to the city. Her new project Rio-Mex is to open at Hatch, the food court under the Mancunian Way.
Real Betis captain Joaquin admitted it will be difficult for the Spanish side to progress to the next round of the Europa League after losing heavily to Manchester United in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
UEFA have explained why Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford 'nominally tops the rankings' in the Europa League scoring charts, despite the England ace being level at the summit.
Former Manchester United player Paul Pogba could reportedly continue to feature from the bench for Juventus during their Europa League last 16 tie against Freiburg as the midfielder returns from injury.
Manchester United will be looking to put last week's humiliating defeat behind them as Erik ten Hag's side face Real Betis in the Europa League Round of 16.
Going in at half-time 1-0 down was perhaps a harsh scoreline for Manchester United, with the half providing big chances for the team particularly in the air, with Bruno Fernandes guiding a diving header just wide, shortly before Casemiro’s headed effort would be ruled out for offside.
Manchester United secured their Women’s Super League top spot with a 5-1 win over Leicester City on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United's Europa League opponents Real Betis held Spanish champions Real Madrid to a 0-0 draw this weekend in their final outing before the round of 16 first leg.
Real Betis will be without influential playmaker Nabil Fekir for their Europa League tie against Manchester United next month after he was ruled out for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Jamie Redknapp believes that Manchester City's defensive changes could cost them the Premier League title this season.
Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets has detailed his fury after Manchester United produced a memorable win over the Catalan giants to eliminate them from European competition this season.
Former Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has lauded the impact of both Raphael Varane and Casemiro in Thursday night's Europa League win over Barcelona.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag admits he has an early idea on how to approach the Europa League meeting with Real Betis after the two clubs were pitted against each other in the last-16.
Manchester United will face Real Betis in the last-16 of the Europa League.
Manchester United will discover who they will face in the last-16 of the Europa League when the draw is conducted at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon this lunchtime.
Manchester United booked their place in their last-16 of the Europa League with a 2-1 win over Barcelona in the second-leg of their knockout round play-off tie at Old Trafford on Thursday night, sealing a 4-3 aggregate triumph.
Paul Scholes has suggested that Manchester United midfielder Casemiro shares similarities with Reds legend and former teammate Roy Keane.
Manchester United and Barcelona are set to lock horns once again in the second leg of their Europa League play-off tie on Thursday.
Manchester United will need to pull out another impressive performance if they are to have any chance of knocking Barcelona out of the Europa League tonight.
Xavi has insisted his Barcelona side will "be brave" on Thursday when they step out at Old Trafford to face Manchester United.