The draw for the 2019/20 Europa League group stage took place in Monaco on Thursday and social media was unsurprisingly quick to react to some of the most bizarre moments.
Former Chelsea and Arsenal defender Ashley Cole had helped compile the groups, but notably struggled with pronouncing the names of several clubs in the competition.
The recently retired Cole continued to battle his way through the draw, but inadvertently drew widespread mocking from countless social media users.
Former Chelsea and Arsenal defender Ashley Cole had helped carry out the group stage draw
But the recently retired defender was resoundingly mocked online for several pronunciations
In one particularly awkward moment, Cole had picked out Spanish side Espanyol for Group H - but instead labelled them 'Espanja' before hilariously realising his mistake.
One Twitter user said that it was possible to 'see the fear' in Cole's eyes as he unravelled the slips of paper in front of the cameras.
Another stated: 'Ashley Cole's having a nightmare here. Never seen someone struggle to say Espanyol, but nail Saint-Etienne.'
A third admitted that Cole's woes on the stage were the 'highlight of the draw'.
The difference between Cole's expression when reading out the names of English sides, as pointed out by another user, was also joked about.
Manchester United's Europa League fate was heavily scrutinised in the wake of the draw.
However, it was the news that the Old Trafford giants had been placed in Group L for this year's competition that generated the biggest reaction on social media.
The letter, particularly when used on social media, can mean 'loss' - and United's recent struggles were rapidly linked to their choice of group.
One user felt aggrieved that the top flight club had been placed in L rather than any of the other eleven groups up for grabs. They added: 'am not happy'.
Another account described United's unfortunate placement as 'a match made in heaven'.
Journalist James Benge added: 'Group L with Astana in the Europa League might be the most Manchester United in 2019 thing ever', following the news that the Kazakhstan outfit had been drawn alongside the English team.
One user opted to use snapshots from Wednesday evening's Champions League draw, after an official representing Slavia Prague had been filmed giggling when the Czechs were thrust into the so-called Group of Death.
To accompany the humorous photos, the football fan said: 'Manchester United in Group L? You can't make this stuff up.'
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