Europa Lague: United Get Anderlecht In Last 8

Manchester United's next opponents in the quest to reach the Europa League final in Stockholm on 24 May are Anderlecht, who were paired with the Reds in Friday’s quarter-final draw in Nyon, Switzerland.

The first leg is to be held at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Belgium on Thursday 13 April at 20:05 BST, before the return fixture at Old Trafford on Thursday 20 April with the same kick-off time. In between those games, the Reds host Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday 16 April.

United reached the last eight of this competition for the second time by beating FC Rostov 2-1 on aggregate, with Juan Mata’s goal securing a 1-0 win in the Round of 16 second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic told MUTV after the game: "This is a trophy we want to win; we said it from the beginning. That’s the objective, that’s the mentality and we work hard for it. When you are in the Europa League, you keep staying on your toes and you keep going for every game you play."

HOW DID ANDERLECHT GET HERE?
Anderlecht’s elimination in the Champions League third qualifying round pushed them into the Europa League, where they finished second in Group C. Away goals enabled them to beat Zenit Saint Petersburg in the first knock-out stage, before Cypriot outfit Apoel Nicosia were defeated 2-0 on aggregate in the Round of 16. They're top of the Belgian First Division after 30 games, two points ahead of Club Brugge.

WHAT'S OUR RECORD AGAINST THEM LIKE?
Even though there have been only six previous meetings, Anderlecht have a place in United's history as the club's first-ever opponents in Europe in September 1956, with the Busby Babes winning 2-0 in Belgium. More famously, they were the team on the receiving end of the Reds' record scoreline – 10-0 – a fortnight later, in a game played under the floodlights at Manchester City's Maine Road ground.
Sir Matt Busby's men were the European Cup holders when the Belgians next appeared on the fixture list in November 1968. This time, United were at home first, winning 3-0 at Old Trafford before going through 4-3 on aggregate after losing 3-1 away.

Anderlecht also won the last meeting at their place in October 2000, 2-1 in the Champions League group stage. Denis Irwin scored for the Reds from the penalty spot, just as he did in the previous month when the Reds routed the opposition 5-1 at Old Trafford, with Teddy Sheringham also adding to an Andrew Cole hat-trick.

EUROPA LEAGUE LAST-EIGHT DRAW IN FULL
Anderlecht v Manchester United 
Celta Vigo v KRC Genk
Ajax v Schalke
Lyon v Besiktas