New Delhi: The tournament favorites Manchester United have been drawn against Russia's Rostov in the draw of 16. Manchester United are 6th in the English Premier League, while Rostov are 7th in the Russian Premier League.
While United started their campaign straight off from Europa League, Rostov started their campaign from Champions League. Rostov were drawn against Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSV Eindhoven and could win only 1 game, while drawing 2 and losing 3, hence they were transfered to the Europa League.
In the Round of 32, Rostov qualified for the Round of 16 agfter beating Sparta Prague 5-1 in aggregate, while United won against Saint-Étienne 4-0 in aggregate.
The Red Devils are clear favorites to lift the Europa League trophy, Italian club AS Roma, on paper, are the only worthy opponents who can give the 20 times England Champions a tough fight.
There is also an all-German pairing as Schalke 04 take on Borussia Moenchengladbach, while two of the three remaining Belgian sides were also cast together as Genk drew Gent.
Anderlecht landed Cypriots Apoel as Greek champions Olympiakos play Turkey's Besiktas.
Celta Vigo La Liga's sole remaining representative in the second-tier European competition, host another Russian outfit Krasnodar as Dutch giants Ajax travel to FC Copenhagen.
Draw in full:
Celta Vigo (ESP) v Krasnodar (RUS)
Apoel Nicosia (CYP) v Anderlecht (BEL)
Schalke 04 (GER) v Borussia Mönchengladbach (GER)
Lyon (FGRA) v Roma (ITA)
Rostov (RUS) v Manchester United (ENG)
Olympiakos (GRE) v Besiktas (TUR)
Gent (BEL) v Genk (BEL)
FC Copenhagen (DEN) v Ajax (NED)
The official result of the #UELdraw
Best tie? pic.twitter.com/xqxWnW3xCD
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 24, 2017
The 1st leg of the matches will be played on March 9th and the 2nd leg will be played on March 16th.
(With AFP Inputs)
