'Europe is always something special'

The Reds were drawn in Group E of the Europa League, alongside Real Sociedad, Sheriff Tiraspol and Omonia Nicosia, at the ceremony in Istanbul on Friday.

An opening competitive foray onto the continent for the boss since taking charge is one that excites him, as the group stage gets under way on 8 September.

The fact we face our first-ever competitive matches with sides from Moldova and Cyprus is something else that will be eagerly anticipated by supporters.

"Europe is always something special and you don’t know your opponents that well," he told club media. "But I think they will be good opponents.

"Real Sociedad are a really great club in Spain, now sixth in the league, and I saw them, coincidentally, play at the weekend against Barcelona and they competed really well so they will be tough opponents.

"There are the other two teams too – Sheriff beat Real Madrid last year, so they must be good. We have to be really well prepared to do well in this competition."

United's fixture schedule is due to be announced before Saturday morning is out with the Reds looking to emulate the 2017 triumph in the competition, under Jose Mourinho.

Of course, we also reached the final in 2021, only to lose on penalties to Villarreal, following a 1-1 draw.

It has been a busy week on the cup draw front for the club, with a home Carabao Cup tie against Aston Villa now due in November. 

Look out for our interview with the boss in full, in the United App, from 07:00 BST on Saturday.