A blockbuster showdown between Barcelona and Manchester United headlined the Europa League knockout round play-off draw on Monday.
The two giants of European football will go head to head in the New Year at the Camp Nou and Old Trafford over two legs for the right to join the likes of Arsenal in the last-16 of the continent’s secondary club competition.
Barcelona dropped into the Europa League for the second successive season in dismal fashion after finishing third behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in a tough Champions League Group D.
Meanwhile, United failed to seal a bye through to the round of 16 despite winning their final group game against Real Sociedad, finishing behind the Spaniards as runners-up in Group E courtesy of an inferior goal difference.
French side Nantes have the unenviable task of trying to topple Juventus, who finished behind both surprise winners Benfica and fellow giants Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League group.
United boss Erik ten Hag could also have faced a swift reunion with former club Ajax in the knockouts, but instead the Dutch champions will face Bundesliga surprise package Union Berlin.
Jose Mourinho’s Roma, the holders of the Europa Conference League title, are up against Champions League dropouts Red Bull Salzburg, with Europa League specialists Sevilla battling PSV Eindhoven in an enticing tie.
Europa League knockout round play-off draw in full
Barcelona vs Manchester United
Juventus vs Nantes
Sporting CP vs FC Midtjylland
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rennes
Ajax vs Union Berlin
Bayer Leverkusen vs Monaco
Sevilla vs PSV Eindhoven
Roma vs RB Salzburg
