Manchester United travel to Spain to face Real Sociedad on Thursday in a match that is a straight shootout for the all-important top spot in Group E of the Europa League.
Having failed to reach the Champions League following a dismal campaign last time out, United entered the Europa League as one of the favourites to lift the trophy in Budapest next May.
Erik ten Hag’s side lost their opening group game to Thursday’s opponents at Old Trafford following a controversial penalty but recovered to win their next four matches, beating Sheriff Tiraspol and Omonia Nicosia home and away, to set up a crunch clash with Real Sociedad on the final day.
The game is must win for United if they are to top their group.
Here, Sportsmail takes you through United’s permutations, including how exactly they can win Group E.
Real Sociedad’s victory at Old Trafford on matchday one means United have to win in Spain
Erik ten Hag will be hoping to win the group to avoid a tricky play-off in late February
How does the table look with one game to play?
United are second in the group with 12 points from their five matches so far, three behind Real Sociedad, who have a 100 per cent record.
Both sides have already qualified for the knockout stages, while the other two teams in the group – Sheriff Tiraspol and Omonia Nicosia – are out of the Europa League.
Real also have a better goal difference than United – +9 compared to +6.
Here is how Group E of the Europa League looks ahead of the final round of matches on Thursday
Sheriff will continue their stay in European competition if they avoid defeat at home to Omonia on Thursday as they will drop into the Europa Conference League.
What do Manchester United need to top the group?
Nothing less than victory in Spain by at least two clear goals will do for Ten Hag’s men.
Should United beat Real Sociedad, both teams will end level on 15 points. Under Europa League tie-break rules, final placings are decided on head-to-head record between the sides in question.
As the La Liga outfit overcame United 1-0 at Old Trafford in September, the Red Devils need to better that score in Spain to leapfrog Real into top spot.
United recovered from defeat to Real Sociedad by winning their next four group matches
If United win 2-1, 3-2 or even 4-3, the teams will be level on goal difference in their head-to-head record but the Spanish side will take first place by virtue of their superior goal difference across the six matches. Away goals in the two games between United and Real Sociedad do not count.
A victory by two clear goals will ensure United have a better record over the two matches against Sociedad and would therefore see them top the group.
Real are in the driving seat as they will go through as group winners if they avoid defeat or lose by a single goal.
Why is winning the group so important?
The group winners progress directly to the last 16, while second-placed teams go to the last 32, which is an effective play-off against a side dropping out of the Champions League.
Taking top spot means two less matches and, in theory, a kinder run to the final.
United already have a packed schedule, with two games still to be rearranged following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and could do without two extra games.
Who could Manchester United play if they don’t win the group?
In the play-off round, the eight teams who finish second in their Europa League group are seeded and drawn against one of the sides coming out of the Champions League.
Barcelona, Juventus, Ajax, Sevilla, Shakhtar Donetsk and Atletico Madrid are among the sides they could face if they finish second.
Barcelona – and transfer target Frenkie de Jong – are among United’s possible opponents if they fail to win the group
Their exact pool of possible opponents will be known at the conclusion of the Champions League group stage on Wednesday.
And if they do?
United will head straight into the last 16 if they top the group.
There, they will be seeded and will be drawn against one of the eight play-off winners, with the second leg at home. They cannot play anyone from their own country.
Real Betis, Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, Ferencvaros and Freiburg are the teams to have guaranteed a place in the last 16 so far by virtue of winning their respective groups.
