UEFA Europa League 2016/17: Ranking the semi-finalists

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - MAY 18:  Captian Jose Antonio Reyes (C) of Sevilla lifts the Europa League trophy as players celebrate at the award ceremoy after the UEFA Europa League Final match between Liverpool and Sevilla at St. Jakob-Park on May 18, 2016 in Basel, Switzerland.  (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Spanish side Sevilla won the Europa League in 2016.

#1 Manchester United

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26:  Manchester United celebrate victory with the trophy after during the EFL Cup Final between Manchester United and Southampton at Wembley Stadium on February 26, 2017 in London, England. Manchester United beat Southampton 3-2.  (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Manchester United are the tournament favourites and have already won a trophy this season

The outright favourites since the start of the tournament, and expectedly in the final four, English powerhouse Manchester United, will consider it a failure if they end up with nothing less than the trophy. The Red Devils boast of the best squad with quality in abundance all over the pitch and have a manager who has won multiple titles across various countries in Jose Mourinho.

A transition season saw the Manchester side fall out of the title fight early, but are in a tight battle to finish in the top four in the domestic league in order to clinch Champions League qualification. However, Europa League offers a better route for the club and currently, they are well-placed to win the tournament.

Also Read: 5 reasons why Manchester United can win the Europa League this season

Despite the quality in their squad, the Red Devils have failed to dispatch the teams they faced in the knockouts, St. Etienne, FC Rostov and Anderlecht, with ease, and Marcus Rashford had to score in extra-time to beat the Belgian outfit in the quarters.

Their star player who has been single-handedly guiding the side, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury and yet the team possesses quality in the form of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the world’s most expensive player Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney and David De Gea.

The second leg at home ensures they can get the job done and the Red Devils can definitely get past either of Ajax or Lyon in the final to win their first ever Europa League.

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