PSV boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has welcomed a potential reunion with Manchester United in the Europa League – though first his side will need to beat a Champions League drop-out.
The Dutch giants went into the final match of the group stages knowing they had to beat Bodo/Glimt and hope Arsenal dropped points against FC Zurich in order to claim top spot and avoid the play-off round.
PSV upheld their end of the bargain, winning 2-1 in Norway on Thursday night, but Kieran Tierney’s first-half strike secured three points – and first place – for Arsenal.
Van Nistelrooy’s old club United also had to settle for second place despite beating Real Sociedad and will need to overcome an eliminated Champions League team in the play-off round in February, with the likes of Barcelona and Juventus in the hat for Monday’s draw.
If both United and PSV can progress from the play-offs, that would open up the possibility of meeting in the last 16 – something Van Nistelrooy would relish.
Asked if it would be a dream to play against United at Old Trafford, Van Nistelrooy told Viaplay: ‘Yeah, but we first have to beat another opponent to be able to play against United.
‘It’s always nice to be in places where you had a great time, so that was definitely [the case] in Manchester.’
Despite finishing second behind Arsenal, Van Nistelrooy was very pleased with PSV’s performances in the group stages and feels they pushed the Gunners hard.
He continued: ‘For us it’s a big target, a big ambition, to be with the best teams in the Europa League [knockout stages].
‘We managed to achieve that [qualification to knockouts]. I’m very proud of that, it was a very good campaign in Europe.
‘We competed with Arsenal for the first spot, and also we knew that Bodo/Glimt is a very tough opponent who did very well in Europe over the last years.
‘So I think it’s a good achievement for us to be second in the group.’
Reacting to the prospect of facing a Champions League drop-out, United boss Erik ten Hag said: ‘Of course we wanted to win today with two goals’ difference, to be number one. That was the aim, we didn’t succeed.
‘But after the winter, we are still there to win the Europa League and that is always but we have to go from round to round. We have to focus on that next round and that is what we will do.’
MORE : Paul Scholes hopes Manchester United get Barcelona in Europa League play-off draw
MORE : Erik ten Hag hits back at ‘messy’ tactics criticism after playing Harry Maguire in attack during Manchester United’s win over Real Sociedad
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