Man Utd and Wolves face 12-day ‘World Cup style tournament’ in Germany to win Europa League… and fans could go
MANCHESTER UNITED and Wolves will try to win the Europa League in a one-off mini-tournament held in Germany later this summer.
Uefa have announced plans to shift the competition into a unique format with the outside chance of fans attending the matches.
Both Premier League clubs have played the away leg of their last-16 ties and may yet have the home tie moved as well.
United will face LASK of Austria with a 5-0 first leg lead and Wolves take on Olympiacos, currently drawing 1-1 with the Greek club, in the first week of August.
If they qualify for the quarter-finals, they will travel to Germany for a knockout competition between August 10 and 21.
The ties will be played in Cologne, Duisburg, Dusseldorf and Gelsenkirchen with the final in Cologne's RheinEnergieSTADION.
Those last-16 ties unable to start back in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, such as Sevilla's game with Roma, are to be reduced to one-legged affairs.
Plans to allow fans into stadiums are being considered but Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin believes the prospect is currently unlikely.
He stated on Wednesday: “If we had to decide now, we would have to say without fans.
“But the situation is changing every day. It is two months until August - remember what the situation was in Europe two months ago.
“Things are changing. It may be no fans, local fans or the fans of the different clubs travelling. We have to wait but decide before the draw.”
Uefa are set to decide later this month whether the last-16 ties that have already begun will retain home advantage for the second legs.
A 14-day quarantine is in force for new arrivals to the United Kingdom although exceptions have been made for elite sport events.
A similar problem is being faced by Manchester City, who hold a 2-1 lead over Real Madrid in the Champions League.
MAN UTD NEWS LIVE: Follow for the latest United news
most read in football
That tournament will be finished off in Portugal in the same format as the Europa League.
Ceferin explained: "For sure the clubs would prefer to play at home but we don’t have enough information to decide.
"Health and security must come first and we need to know the situation about travelling, borders and quarantine.
"When you speak to the clubs, of course they would prefer to play at home, even without crowds, rather than at neutral grounds."
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - .