When will Europa League play-off be played? - United face fixture headache in February

Manchester United face Rangers on Thursday night in their penultimate league phase game as they look to reach the Europa League last 16.

Ruben Amorim will be hoping for wins against both the Scottish side and upcoming FCSB to secure a fast-tracked spot in the round of 16 by finishing inside the top eight.

But, if United were to become unstuck in either game then they might have to play an extra round of knockout football before reaching the last 16 in the competition's new-fangled format.

While the top eight sides in the league phase qualify automatically for the round of 16, the teams finishing in ninth to 24th place kick off the knockout stages. They compete in a two-legged knockout phase play-off to secure their path to the last 16.

After three wins and three draws, United hold 12 points with six still up for grabs. They sit in seventh place in the league phase, a point ahead of Rangers who occupy the final automatic spot.

If United were to tumble down the table and out of the top eight, between ninth and 16th, then they would enter a draw on January 31 to determine who they face in the knockout phase play-off.

With two games remaining, the league is likely to see a sleuth of changes with no side yet to be guaranteed automatic qualification.

If Amorim was to fail to gain enough points in the final outings and fall to below eighth, he would face a two-legged tie against any side who finished between 17th and 24th. As it stands, the following clubs would be potential opponents:

Viktoria Plzen

Besiktas

Porto

AZ Alkmaar

Union SG

Fenerbahce

PAOK

Midtylland

Elsewhere, Hoffenheim and Braga are among those currently residing outside a play-off spot but still hoping to make the next stage of the competition. The draw takes