United, Spurs grab vital Europa League wins, Messi eyes 2026 World Cup, Shiffrin back in action
Manchester United and Tottenham into last 16 of Europa League, Lionel Messi’s coach says superstar wants to play at next World Cup
Manchester United booked their place in the Europa League last 16 with a 2-0 win at Romanian side FCSB, while Tottenham turned to their young guns to advance via a top-eight finish on Thursday.
Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo scored for United in the second half of their final league phase fixture at the National Arena in Bucharest.
In north London, under-pressure Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou was relieved to see Dane Scarlett, Damola Ajayi and Mikey Moore kill off Swedish minnows Elfsborg with their first goals for the club in a 3-0 victory.
United, unbeaten in eight games in the tournament, finished in third place and Tottenham came fourth, ensuring the Premier League pair avoided the Europa League play-off round.
Scottish side Rangers made it to the last 16 after climbing to eighth place with a 2-1 win against Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox.
Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce scraped into the play-offs, finishing in 24th place – above Braga on goal difference – after a 2-2 draw at Midtjylland.
