Manchester Evening News

Robinho may be waiting for United in Euro quarter-finals

- By JOSH WILLIAMS

UNITED could come up against some former Premier League players in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

If the Reds progress beyond LASK - which is highly likely they will face either Copenhagen or Istanbul Basaksehir.

The Danish team have a number of capable talents including a few ex-Premier League players.

Bryan Oviedo - the former Everton defender - has appeared three times in the competitio­n this season, although it’s worth noting he’s now past his peak.

Viktor Fischer is another familiar name. The 26-year-old was considered as a prospect at Ajax some years ago but after transferri­ng to Middlesbro­ugh and largely failing, he now plays football in his home country.

The players who regularly deliver for the Danish outfit are less well-known, though. Pieros Sotiriou, Dame N’Doye and Michael Santos are their main goalscorin­g threats in the Superliga this season.

Istanbul Basaksehir, who have a 1-0 lead after the first leg, have former Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel in their side.

While former City defender Gael Clichy is also at the club, appeared nine times in the Europa League and 28 times in the Turkish top-flight this season.

Demba Ba is 35, but has scored 13 goals in all competitio­ns this year, placing him behind only two team-mates, Edin Visca and Enzo Crivelli.

Perhaps the most surprising player involved is Robinho. The Brazilian spent his peak years playing for Real Madrid and City but he’s now 36 and simply isn’t as good as he once was.

If he does feature, it’ll probably be as a substitute.

 ??  ?? Former City player Robinho could face United in the Europa League
Former City player Robinho could face United in the Europa League

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