Europa League Round Of 16 Draw: Man United, Arsenal Get Tough Test

The European football governing body, UEFA has announced the draw for the Europa League round of 16 today, February 24, hours after the conclusion of Thursday night’s playoffs.

Arsenal will play Portuguese giants, Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League round of 16, while Manchester United will play Real Betis.

At Old Trafford on Thursday, United upset the top team in La Liga, FC Barcelona, 2-1 to win the play-off game 4-3 overall.

Arsenal’s first-leg encounter with Sporting Lisbon will be played in Portugal, while Manchester United will host Betis at Old Trafford in the first leg.

In other games, six-time Europa League champions Sevilla will take on Fenerbahce, and Jose Mourinho’s Roma will take on Real Sociedad.

The eight clubs that won their respective Europa League group matches were paired against the eight clubs that qualified for the round of 16 via play-off matches.

The pairing was done with the consideration that clubs from the same domestic leagues could not be drawn against one another.

Between March 9 and 16, matches for the Europa League’s round of 16 will take place.

With five victories from their six games, Premier League leaders Arsenal topped Group A and avoided the play-offs for the knockout stage.

Europa League round of 16 draw 

Union Berlin v Union Saint-Gilloise

Sevilla v Fenerbahce

Juventus v Freiburg

Bayer Leverkusen v Ferencvaros

Sporting Lisbon v Arsenal

Manchester United v Real Betis

Roma v Real Sociedad

Shakhtar Donetsk v Feyenoord