Manchester United have already qualified for the knockout round of the Europa League and are set to finish second in Group E.
However, as per the new format, the team that finishes on top qualifies directly to the Round of 16.
It means United can avoid playing two extra games that other teams would have to face in an extra qualifying round.
As things stand, the Red Devils are three points behind group leaders Real Sociedad, who beat us in the first leg.
The Red Devils have another game left with Sociedad after losing the first one 1-0.
Assuming we beat them in the second leg, we will be level on points even though they boast a superior goal difference.
If we are level on points, the head-to-head record - the usual tie-breaker in this competition - would be used.
Ten Hag and co would need to beat Sociedad by two goals or more to swing the goal difference in our favour and finish top of the group.
Furthermore, playing in the Round of 32 would mean facing teams that have dropped out of the Champions League like Sevilla, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Juventus.
Finishing top of the group is tough but certainly not impossible. Considering the positives outweigh the negatives, United must do everything possible to pull this off.
