Reds To Discover Europa League Fate

Manchester United’s comprehensive 6-3 aggregate victory over Midtjylland in the Europa League ensures the Reds are in the hat for the last 16 of the competition, and all fans will undoubtedly be casting a keen eye over Friday’s draw.

After United overturned the 2-1 deficit from the first leg to blow away the Danish champions on Thursday night, all eyes now turn to the Swiss city of Nyon, where the Reds’ fate will be decided in the Europa League draw.

It is an open, unseeded draw for the last 16 with no restrictions, which means United could be facing familiar opponents in the next round, with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur also through after they overcame Augsburg and Fiorentina respectively.

United have faced all but one of their prospective rivals in the last-16 before, having never met Spanish side and current Europa League holders Sevilla, who are also the most successful club in the competition’s history.

The Reds have, however, faced Sevilla’s fellow La Liga side Athletic Club in European competition, as recently as 2012. United were edged out on that occasion over two legs, and will have revenge in their minds should the two sides be paired again on Friday.

With Spain in mind, the draw could provide the prospect of a return home for United legend Gary Neville, who might be lined up to bring his Valencia side to Old Trafford. Alongside brother and fellow ex-Red Phil, Neville is at the Mestalla helm at least until the end of the season, and a trip back to the club he served with such distinction would surely be a highlight of his reign.

The most mouth-watering tie for United though is the one that is the closest logistically, of course. A second trip down the M62 to Anfield will be a desired fixture, particularly with the manager’s flawless record against Liverpool of played four, won four. Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund are the clear bookmakers' favourites to lift the trophy.

Full list of teams in the last-16 draw of the Europa League:

Manchester United
Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur
Athletic Club (Spain)
Sevilla (Spain)
Valencia (Spain)
Villarreal (Spain)
Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
SC Braga (Portugal)
Sparta Prague (Czech Republic)
Lazio (Italy)
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)
Fenerbahce (Turkey)
FC Basel (Switzerland)
Anderlecht (Belgium)

Make sure you keep an eye on Manchester United’s official Twitter account (@ManUtd) and ManUtd.com to see who the Reds are paired with in Friday’s draw.

All ties are to be played next month, with the first leg of the last-16 ties to be played on Thursday March 10 and the second leg will take place on Thursday March 17, 2016.