While the weekends have usually been filled with chaos and eventual misery, exits in the middle of Manchester United week have offered moments of Ruben Amorim calm.
The Red Devils have won all their meetings in the Europa League with their new Portuguese manager at the helm, though they were forced to hit late against Rangers last week.
After Cyril Dessers exceeded Harry Maguire and miraculously ended up at the level of procedures, Skipper Bruno Fernandes produced goods at the time of stopping to seal a 2-1 win for the Amorim side. In the lighting of an eye, United had undertaken fourth from the ninth on the league phase table.
As a result, United are in a strong position to end up in the top eight places and thus qualify in the 16th round. Opta supercomputer It suggests that they have a chance of 89.8% for a high conclusion, but there is still work to do against FCSB in Romania on Thursday night.
Let's take a look at how a win, drawing and loss of united in Bucharest would affect their chances of the 16th qualification round.
Man Utd headed to this match with a little bit of momentum after Lisandro Martinez's deflected goal helped them in a 1-0 win over Fulham at the weekend.
If they are able to build back-back victories in Bucharest and claim victory again, United will be provided for a place in the 16th round given that they sit in the fourth place on the table. There will also be room for them to climb the table and potentially end up in the first two.
While Lazio are in an insignificant position in the summit, Eintracht Frankfurt and Club Athletic are just one point ahead. Frankfurt travels to Rome in Matchday 8, while the Athletic hosts a Victoria Plzen team aiming to provide a high conclusion.
Before beatings Victoria Plzen under amorim, United Drew with Porto and Fenerbahce away from home in this competition.
A draw is completely reliable in Bucharest with FCSB still to enjoy the loss at home in the league stage. As a stalemate would leave United in some danger, they are likely to dive into the 16th round with this result.
Eighth FCSB would remain behind them, and only two teams outside the first eight – Galatasaray and Bodo/Glimt – would be able to match their 16 -point load. The gala has a complicated game away in Ajax, while Bodo/Glimt is expected to beat nicely from home.
If United Draw Draw, they will only lose in the 16th round if all three teams immediately below them on the table – Lyon, Tottenham and Anderlecht – Win, as well as Galatasaray. Bodo/Glimt will have to win with two or more goals to usurp the red devils.
Now, this is a united situation will be inclined to avoid. However, they still have a good chance of doing the first eight even if they are lost on FCSB.
For the Red Devils to progress in the 16th round, despite being lost on Thursday, they are likely to need at least three of these teams to slip: Lyon, Tottenham, Anderlecht, Galatasaray, Bodo/Glimt, Victoria Plzen and olympiacos.
Plzen and Olympiacos would be of point level with United if both win and the Red Devils lose. The duo are two goals back to the goal difference.
If United fall from the first eight, they will be forced to compete in round play-offs with Nokaut-a two-legged affair, where the planted teams (those ending between the ninth and 16th) receive unjust teams (those who end between 17 and 24). The winners of those links will join the top eight from the league phase to Europa League Round I 16.