Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag admits he 'would have preferred' different Europa League opponents as Dutchman prepares to 'hurt' FC Twente

The Red Devils are all set to kick off their Europa League 2024/25 journey on Wednesday night as they host Dutch side FC Twente in their tournament opener at Old Trafford. Ahead of their clash, manager Erik ten Hag, who hails from the Netherlands, admitted that he would have preferred not to face a club from his native.

Ten Hag has an emotional connection with Twente as he began his professional career at the club and spent seven years in three different spells. The 54-year-old's assistant Rene Hake, on the other hand, managed the Dutch side for two years between 2015 and 2017.

Speaking to reporters at his pre-match press conference, the Dutchman said, "I would have preferred to have played against somebody else [other than Twente]. It's not nice to have to hurt something you love."

"Well, there's a great deal of connections to and fro between MUFC and FC Twente. Between me and Rene Hake, me and Ruud [van Nistelrooy]. Also, connections forged through the various Ajax players we've all been involved with."

After their Europa League fixture in midweek, United will be back in action in the Premier League on Sunday as they take on Tottenham Hotspur in a crucial clash.