What Man United need to complete Europa League turnaround and give Ruben Amorim perfect start

Manchester United's victory against Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Europa League took Manchester United from 15th to 12th in the league table.

A brace from Rasmus Holjund and an Alejando Garnacho goal helped inspire United’s comeback after losing the lead in the first half. It’s now left them in a much more comfortable and simpler path to the knockout rounds with automatic qualification within reach. So, what do United need to do now to ensure their place in the knockout rounds and can they still finish in the top eight?

United are unbeaten so far this season in the Europa League with two wins and three draws. While they had a slow start in the competition with successive draws against FC Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce, the Reds have won their last two. With three matches left, United need to win at least four points to secure a top 24 spot.

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But Ruben Amrorim will hope to engineer a way into the top eight, with United currently one point off. Seven points from the next three games would likely be enough with 16 generally accepted as the mark required. Given the number of games still to play and the permutations involved, there is no guarantee of anything other than United claiming nine points from nine would earn them a top eight place.

They next visit Viktoria Plzen in the Czech Republic on December 12. The six-time Czech champions won on Thursday night with a 2-1 victory over Dynamo Kyiv in Hamburg. It places them level on points with United in 13th.

United then host Rangers on January 23. The Gers have been in impressive form this season in Europe with 10 points from 15 and a fine 4-1 win at Nice last time out. The Scottish side will no doubt be a difficult test for Ruben Amorim’s side in January and could be a crucial fixture.

Finally, United travel to the Romanian capital of Bucharest to take on FCSB on January 30. The Romanian champions have also taken 10 points from a possible 15. Ilias Charalampous’s side were held to a goalless draw by Olympiacos this week and will prove still opposition for Amorim's men.