Denis Irwin admitted the Europa League is not the European competition Manchester United were aiming for but that will not stop them trying to reach the final in Poland, no matter where their journey takes them.
United face taxing trips to Kazakhstan and Serbia, as well as a shorter journey to the Netherlands, between now and December after getting Astana, Partizan Belgrade and AZ Alkmaar in the draw for the Europa League group stages on Friday.
Irwin, who played 75 times in Europe during his 12-year career at Old Trafford, attended the ceremony in Monaco on behalf of United, who will probably feel they drew the shortest of straws among the three English teams in the competition, although Celtic and Rangers might say they have the hardest challenges among the British quintet in terms of quality.
Earlier on Friday, UEFA recognised one of the Premier League's former stars, Eden Hazard, for his performances with Chelsea last season.
Now with Real Madrid, the Belgian was named Europa League player of the season, beating new teammate Luka Jovic, who played for Frankfurt last season, and old colleague Olivier Giroud.
UEFA's director of competitions Giorgio Marchetti also took a moment before the draw began to send the governing body's condolences to former Barca manager Luis Enrique on the tragic death of his nine-year-old daughter from cancer.
