Man Utd and Tottenham are set to learn their Europa League opponents. (Image: GETTY)
and will be keeping tabs on Thursday night’s knockout play-off second legs ahead of discovering their paths to the May final. The Premier League heavyweights will be on opposite sides of the draw after finishing the league phase third and fourth, respectively.
However, there is a long road until an all-English final in Bilbao, and both will learn which teams stand in their way after Friday’s draw.
United won five consecutive Europa League matches after oversaw three draws at the start of the campaign.
The upturn in results under Ruud van Nistelrooy and saw them rank third out of 36 teams with 18 points as the only unbeaten side left across the Champions League and Europa League.
Spurs ended up one point behind the Red Devils, also winning five times but suffering one defeat.
A fourth-place finish paired ‘s men with their Premier League rivals in the new draw format, which means they can’t meet until the final.
Following a play-off draw earlier this month, United and Spurs discovered their four potential opponents – the same quartet due to their pairing – in the round of 16.
The draw pitted the winners of AZ Alkmaar vs Galatasaray and Midtjylland vs Real Sociedad against the Prem pair, and last week’s first legs made it clearer which two outfits would progress.
The Europa League last 16 draw is on Friday. (Image: Getty)
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Galatasaray beat in the league phase and caused United profound misery in last season’s Champions League. A return to Istanbul would not be an attractive proposition.
However, AZ eased those concerns by demolishing the Turkish giants 4-1 in the Netherlands in the first leg.
Galatasaray were without Victor Osimhen in that meeting and will have him back at their disposal for the second leg. However, Okan Buruk’s defensive woes offer little expectancy of a comeback.
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad travelled to Denmark as the favourites in their tie against Midtjylland and ran out 2-1 winners. They have been heavily tipped to finish the job in San Sebastian.
Should AZ and La Real progress, United and Spurs will learn which of the two sides they will face in the last 16 when the draw is held at 12pm GMT on Friday.
The draw will focus on placing each of the league phase’s top eight in their spots on the bracket, thus confirming their first knockout opponents.
United and Spurs are joined by Lazio, Athletic Bilbao, Olympiakos, Rangers, Eintracht Frankfurt and Lyon.
In the new format, all 16 remaining clubs will know their routes to the May 21 final after the ceremony.