Europa League Round Of 16: United Drawn Against Liverpool

Manchester United have been drawn against historic rivals Liverpool in the Europa League Round of 16, after progressing in the competition with a 6-3 aggregate win over FC Midtjylland.

Friday afternoon’s much-anticipated draw was open with no seeding or country restrictions, which led to the two most successful clubs in English football being paired together in a European competition for the first time. The first leg will be played at Anfield on Thursday 10 March (kick-off 20:05 GMT) with the return fixture at Old Trafford on Thursday 17 March (18:00 GMT).

Daley Blind, who scored against the Merseysiders at Old Trafford in September, told ManUtd.com: "I’ve definitely got some good memories against Liverpool – I hope we can create some more.

"It’s a busy schedule coming up again and Liverpool will be a great game to play in, especially as it’s now in the Europa League. You’re either in or out, through to the next round or not, so it’s very important for us. They will say it’s important for them too so we have to show that we want it more.

Blind's team-mate Ander Herrera added: "To be honest, I don’t like to play against teams from the same country in this kind of draw but it’s okay. If you want to win something, you have to play against the best teams and Liverpool is one of them.

"I didn’t want to play against Athletic [Club, his former team]. I prefer to play against them in the final!

"Since I have been here at United, we have always won when we have faced Liverpool so hopefully we can keep that run going. I can imagine what the atmosphere will be like, it’s going to be great."

If Louis van Gaal's men can win the Europa League this season, it would secure a place in the Champions League and add United’s name to the list of clubs to have won all three of UEFA’s major competitions, alongside Chelsea, Ajax, Bayern Munich and Juventus. The Reds have already lifted three European Cups (1968, 1999 and 2008) and the European Cup Winners’ Cup (1991).

EUROPA LEAGUE ROUND OF 16

FC Shakhtar Donetsk v RSC Anderlecht
FC Basel 1893 v Sevilla FC
Villarreal CF v Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Athletic Club v Valencia CF
Liverpool v Manchester United
Sparta Prague v Lazio
Borussia Dortmund v Tottenham Hotspur
Fenerbahce v SC Braga