Europa League Round of 16 Draw: Man United to Play Sociedad, Rangers Draw Fenerbahce

In the Europa League, the last 16 draw has set up some intriguing matchups. Manchester United will face Spanish club Real Sociedad, while Tottenham Hotspur will meet Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. Rangers, on the other hand, will be up against Fenerbahce, managed by the well-known Jose Mourinho. These ties set the stage for thrilling clashes as teams battle for a spot in the quarter-finals.

For Manchester United, should they manage to advance past Sociedad, they could potentially face either FCSB, the leaders of the Romanian league, or French side Lyon in the quarter-finals. Spurs or AZ Alkmaar, depending on the outcome of their tie, will meet either Eintracht Frankfurt or Ajax in the next stage. Rangers, meanwhile, could face Italian giants Roma or La Liga club Athletic Bilbao, should they get through their tie with Fenerbahce.

The draw has placed Manchester United and Tottenham on opposite sides of the bracket, which means there is a possibility for an all-English final. If both teams make it to the final in Bilbao on May 21, the winner will earn a spot in next season’s Champions League. With the Premier League set to secure at least five spots in the competition, an all-Premier League final would almost certainly lead to a sixth English club qualifying for the Champions League in the 2025-26 season. This is particularly significant as both United and Spurs are unlikely to finish in the top five in the Premier League, making their European journey in the Europa League all the more crucial.

In the Conference League, Chelsea will be up against FC Copenhagen in the last 16. The draw for the Europa League and Conference League has set up several exciting matches, with clubs from across Europe fighting for a place in the later stages of both competitions.

The timing of the ties has been confirmed, with the first legs scheduled for Thursday, March 6. Manchester United, Spurs, and Rangers will all be playing their first-leg matches away from home, with the second-leg matches to be played the following Thursday, March 13. This setup gives the away teams the opportunity to take an advantage before returning to their home stadiums for the decisive second leg. Chelsea, too, will be playing their first leg away against Copenhagen, traveling to Denmark on March 6, before hosting the Danish side at Stamford Bridge for the return leg on March 13.

As these teams continue their European campaigns, all eyes will be on the knockout rounds, with each team hoping to secure their place in the quarter-finals and ultimately, in the Champions League next season. The Europa League and Conference League have provided plenty of drama in previous seasons, and this year looks set to deliver more thrilling football as the top clubs from across Europe vie for continental glory. With several high-stakes matches ahead, fans are eagerly awaiting the outcomes of these exciting ties.