Europa League draw in full as Man Utd and Spurs learn last-16 opponents

Manchester United will take on Real Sociedad in the Europa League round of 16 with Tottenham Hotspur facing AZ Alkmaar.

Rangers meanwhile have been drawn against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in the last 16.

Spurs beat Alkmaar 1-0 at home back in October, while United last played Sociedad in the 2022-23 Europa League group stage, losing 1-0 at home then winning 1-0 away.

Despite their respective struggles in the Premier League, United and Spurs are viewed as joint-favourites for Europa League glory.

United won this tournament under Mourinho in 2017, and finished third in the league phase of this year’s competition – behind Lazio and Athletic Bilbao.

Spurs were fourth overall, and the Europa League is Ange Postecoglou’s final shot of winning a trophy in his second season. “I always win things in my second year,” he said bullishly back in September.

United are 15th in the Premier League table, and Spurs 12th.

Europe therefore offers both Ruben Amorim and Postecoglou a shot at salvaging forgetful campaigns.

United remain in the FA Cup as well, and host Fulham in the fifth round on 2 March, but Spurs exited that tournament when losing to Aston Villa in the previous round – days after losing in the Carabao Cup semi-finals to Liverpool.

The two clubs could also meet in the Europa League final, given they are on opposite sides of the draw.

United could face FCSB or Lyon in the quarters, with a potential Mourinho reunion in the offing come the semi-finals against Fenerbahce. Should United get there, the semis look difficult no matter the opponent: the other options being Rangers, Roma and Athletic Bilbao.

Spurs meanwhile could face a rematch of their 2019 Champions League semi-final in the quarters, with Ajax possible opponents. The alternative is Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bodo/Glimt, Olympiacos, Viktoria Plzen and Lazio are possible semi-final opponents.

The Europa League final takes place at the Estadio de San Mames in Bilbao on 21 May.