Format, fixtures, more ]Premier League sides Manchester United (3rd - 18 points) and Tottenham (4th - 17 points) are two of the eight that will avoid the first knockout round. Lazio (19 points) finished top with Athletic Bilbao behind them only on goal difference.

The Europa League's inaugural league phase has ended with Lazio topping the table and Manchester United and Tottenham finishing in the top eight

Manchester United, Tottenham and Rangers have all learned who they could play in the next stage of the Europa League following the conclusion of the league phase. United and Tottenham both started the gameweek within the top-eight and made sure of their automatic progression to the last 16 by winning their respective games on Thursday evening.