Matthijs de Ligt says Manchester United are taking their Europa League campaign "step by step" and not looking too far ahead at potentially qualifying for next season's Champions League by winning the competition.

United finished third in the League Stage of the Europa League and were the only one of the 36 teams to go through their eight fixtures undefeated.

But, with United out of both domestic cups and 14th in the Premier League, winning the Europa League may be their best chance of qualifying for Europe next season.

"Thursday is another chance to show our worth in a European competition," said Netherlands international defender De Ligt, previewing the first leg of their last-16 tie against Real Sociedad (17:45 GMT).

"Until now we haven't lost a game so hopefully we can keep it that way and get a good result.

"If you win the tournament, you go into the Champions League [next season], but that is not our main goal at the moment. Our main goal is to win the game on Thursday and get a good result.

"We're watching it step by step, game after game.

"The Europa League is not a tournament where you can win it without effort. We know we have to fight and put everything on the line to win the game. That's our first concern. We'll be ready and hopefully we can get a good result."