United To Face Sevilla In Champions League

Manchester United will face Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League round of 16.

The Reds topped Group A to set up the two-legged meeting against the Spanish side, with the first tie away from home at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on Wednesday 21 February before the return clash at Old Trafford on Tuesday 13 March. Both fixtures kick off at 19:45 GMT.

The two clubs have never met before in a competitive fixture, although Sevilla did win Rio Ferdinand's testimonial match 3-1 at Old Trafford in 2013, after United triumphed 3-0 in a home friendly in 2006 with goals from Louis Saha, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Jones.

Eduardo Berizzo's side came back from 3-0 down at home to draw 3-3 with Group E winners Liverpool earlier in this season's tournament. Currently fifth in La Liga, the Andalusian club have been excellent in continental competition, winning a record five UEFA Cup/Europa League crowns (2006, 2007, 2014, 2015 and 2016). Former Manchester City men Jesus Navas and Nolito are part of the current squad.

The 16 teams are ultimately battling it out for the right to play in the showpiece final in Kiev next May.

'WE CAN'T HAVE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS'

Denis Irwin on MUTV: "I don't think there were any easy draws for us but we have to accept it isn't the worst draw. It is couple of hours away, we know Sevilla very well, they obviously drew with Liverpool twice in the group stage, it is away first, which helps us a little bit, so I don't think we can have too many complaints. We could have travelled to Shakhtar, which wouldn't have been ideal, and Porto would have been similar to Sevilla, but we avoided three of the big guns in Juventus, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

"We know they will be technically very, very good. We have played enough teams from La Liga to know that. They'll be very comfortable on the ball. But we also know that Liverpool went 3-0 up against them so they could be defensively vulnerable. On the flip side of that, they can score goals too because they came back to draw that game 3-3. There is a lot of time between now and then, but I am sure the manager will have his scouts looking at them and come February we will be ready for it."

'IT'S A GREAT TRIP FOR THE FANS'

Bryan Robson on MUTV: "It's a pretty good draw. We have stayed away from the big boys, but you cannot disrespect Sevilla. They are a decent side and the Spanish always keep possession really well. But I think we have a great chance of progressing to the next round. We are playing away first so we have home advantage in the second leg. All in, it's a good draw. You know that they're a decent side because they have three Europa League titles on their belt in recent years. We've seen them give Liverpool two good games this season, so it will be tough, but we have avoided the big teams. It is a beautiful city, too. I played there years ago with West Brom against Real Betis. It was a lovely place. It's a great trip for the fans and not too far for the team."

THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16
Juventus v Tottenham
Basel v Manchester City
Porto v Liverpool
Sevilla v United
Real Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain
Shakhtar Donetsk v Roma
Chelsea v Barcelona
Bayern Munich v Beskitas