Why are Manchester United playing St Etienne on Wednesday in Europa League? All you need to know for tonight’s tie
English sides openly admit to not fancying the idea of playing in the Europa League because of the travelling involved and the lack of rest between matches
MANCHESTER UNITED should secure their place in the Europa League last-16 in an unfamiliar Wednesday fixture with their second leg with St Etienne.
A Wednesday match in Europe would usually mean the glamour of the Champions League but a fluke scenario means Jose Mourinho’s men are playing a day earlier.
Why are Man United playing St Etienne on Wednesday?
Because Lyon and Etienne are just 31 miles apart they cannot play home games on the same day.
Lyon play Dutch side AZ on Thursday night and because they are the higher ranked club by Uefa, above Etienne, they kept their spot and United’s was shifted.
The reason the game is at 5pm is Uefa don’t allow Europa League matches to clash with the Champions League which will also be played that night with 7.45pm starts.
Why are Europa League ties usually played on a Thursday?
Premier League fixtures take place on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as Monday and occasionally Friday nights.
Champions League matches then take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and have priority.
This week Schalke vs PAOK Salonika and Fenerbahce vs FK Krasnodar will also take place on Wednesday night due to similar clashes.
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Why do English clubs dislike playing the Europa League?
English sides openly admit to not fancying the idea of playing in the Europa League because of the travelling involved and the lack of rest between matches.
It is conceivable that an English team could play an evening game in Russia on Thursday night and have to be back to play a Sunday lunchtime game in London.
Liverpool once had to return from playing Besiktas in Turkey on a Thursday night, after extra time and penalties, to face Manchester City on the Sunday at noon.