The former Sweden international has urged Jose Mourinho's side to take the competition seriously and wants to see Ibra return to Stockholm for the final
Former Sweden international Patrik Andersson believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic can lead Manchester United back to the UEFA Champions League – via a sensational UEFA Europa League homecoming in Stockholm. The Swedish capital’s Friends Arena hosts the 2016-17 UEFA Europa League final this season, with the victors earning automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League group stage. Jose Mourinho’s side picked up just 20 points from their first 13 league games this season, their worst start to a campaign in the Premier League era, and risk missing out on UCL football for the third successive season. 
But former Bayern Munich and Barcelona defender Andersson believes that Manchester United are favourites to take this European crown. "Manchester United started the season well before struggling a bit, but now they are finding their form again,” said Andersson, ambassador for the 2016-17 UEFA Europa League final in Solna. “They have so much quality but the distance between themselves and the top four in the Premier League means they have to take the UEFA Europa League very seriously. “And a player like Zlatan Ibrahimovic is always eager for titles – the UEFA Europa League is a big title and a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.” With league titles in Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France, Zlatan is one of the most decorated players in European football, but is yet to see glory in international competition. “He has won everything on a national basis but is still missing that continental title,” added Andersson. “He is one of the greatest in Sweden’s history.” 
The Red Devils meet Saint-Etienne in the knockout stage, one of a number of exciting clashes for Andersson in the round of 32. “For history and tradition Villarreal versus Roma is a real standout tie,” he said. “Ludogorets versus FC Copenhagen will also be very interesting. I’m very curious to see how Copenhagen will do following their fine performance in the UEFA Champions League, losing just one game and coming very close to making it to the knockout stages. “In Sweden, we will be watching Celta Vigo’s John Guidetti, who has scored three goals in the group stage, facing Shakhtar Donetsk, who are the best team I’ve seen in the competition this season.” 
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