The best-case scenario for Louis van Gaal is that his career comes full circle. The Manchester United manager's first trophy was the Uefa Cup, won with Ajax in 1992. His last could be its successor, the Europa League, in 2016.
That they are separated by almost a quarter of a century indicates the epic scale of the Dutchman’s career. That he is in a competition he thought he would never enter again is a sign of United’s plight.
Now it represents the best chance of salvaging a sorry season. And even then, as Van Gaal admitted, that is a slim one.
If United are to be in next season's Uefa Champions League, they either have to finish in the Premier League's top four or win the continent's second knockout competition.
“The way with the Europa League is easier, I think,” a downbeat Van Gaal said on Saturday. “But also not so easy.”
Indeed not.
As ever, there is an eclectic mix of teams in the last 32. Several – Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Porto, Fiorentina, Tottenham, Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen, Shakhtar Donetsk, defending champions Sevilla – look like potential winners.
“You have a fantastic European level in that cup,” said Van Gaal, sounding defeatist.
Read more:
‘Why not go and try’: Wayne Rooney sees value for Manchester United in Europa League
Manchester United’s Juan Mata says raising Europa League title ‘would come with a double reward’
His grand strategy has gone awry. The three-year plan he used to outline entailed qualifying for the Champions League in his debut season at Old Trafford, winning the Premier League in the second and then conquering Europe in the third.
The first, and simplest, part was achieved. The others almost certainly will not be.
Rather than envisioning trips to the Allianz Arena, the Nou Camp or the Bernabeu, Van Gaal now finds himself in one of European football’s outposts, in the middle of Jutland.
For the first time, United face FC Midtjylland on Thursday. Herning’s MCH Arena has a capacity of 11,800. It is barely bigger than the Greenhous Meadow, home of League One strugglers Shrewsbury, who host United in Monday’s FA Cup tie.
Read more: 'Welcome to Scamdinavia': Manchester United fans to protest Danish ticket prices at FC Midtjylland
The difference lies in the personnel, not the facilities.
Midtjylland have a solitary league title, to United’s 20, but they are a club on the rise. They were Danish champions last year. Midtjylland finished ahead of Club Brugge, the side United defeated in their Champions League play-off, in the group stages and eliminated Southampton, winners at Old Trafford last month, from the competition even before then.
A tie against comparatively unknown underdogs is rich with the potential for embarrassment.
Partly because Van Gaal has omitted Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellaini and selected three players, in Regan Poole, James Weir and Joe Riley, who are yet to debut, and partly as United have been prone to losing to supposedly lesser lights since Sir Alex Ferguson’s 2013 retirement.
Midtjylland can take encouragement from the exploits of Middlesbrough and MK Dons, Norwich and Bournemouth, Southampton, Swansea, Stoke and Sunderland, who have all claimed a famous scalp in Van Gaal’s reign.
Midtjylland present a particular test. Owned by Matthew Benham, who also runs Championship club Brentford, they have been influenced by Moneyball and statistics. A tall team are set-piece specialists. United’s squad looks callow in comparison.
Van Gaal’s selection includes two more, in Will Keane and Donald Love, who are yet to start a game for them, adding to the scope for an upset.
A rare senior player could at least see the silver lining in an early elimination from the Champions League.
Juan Mata was part of the Chelsea team who claimed the consolation prize of the 2013 Europa League.
“This trophy would be a double reward,” the Spaniard said. “It could be a positive way to finish the season, as I lived three seasons ago.”
He might sense similarities.
That Chelsea team was also overshadowed by speculation about the future of an unpopular manager, Rafa Benitez, as the spectre of Jose Mourinho started to loom large. Yet that Chelsea side had more resolve, more quality and more of a recent record of winning trophies.
Van Gaal’s glory days are starting to feel like distant days. It might not be 1992 all over again.
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
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SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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WEST ASIA RUGBY 2017/18 SEASON ROLL OF HONOUR
Western Clubs Champions League
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons
Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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