NYON: Manchester United have been handed a tough draw in the Europa League last 32 knockout stage where they will face current Spanish league leaders Real Sociedad.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side finished third in their Champions League group and dropped into the second tier competition after last week’s defeat by RB Leipzig.

The clash with Sociedad will see United come up against former Manchester City favourite David Silva, now back in his homeland where he has inspired Sociedad to their excellent start to the domestic season.

Sociedad reclaimed top spot in La Liga on Sunday and made it out of the Europa League group stage thanks to a dramatic late draw at Napoli, combined with AZ Alkmaar’s last-gasp defeat at Rijeka.

United meanwhile are eighth in the Premier League after Saturday’s goalless draw with local rivals Manchester City, although they are only five points behind leaders Tottenham Hotspur having played a game fewer.

Premier League strugglers Arsenal also have a tough draw against Portugal’s Benfica but their local rivals Tottenham, who are top of the league, will be happier with their tie against Austrian club Wolfsberger and Leicester City will clash with Slavia Prague.

The draw also produced a clash between two former European champions with AC Milan facing Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade while Ligue 1 leaders Lille face Ajax Amsterdam in a fascinating tie.

Gennaro Gattuso’s Napoli, who are four points behind leaders Milan in Serie A, will face Spanish side Granada, while Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers take on Royal Antwerp.

New Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen will take on Swiss side Young Boys, while Shakhtar Donetsk face Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Dynamo Kyiv will face Club Brugge in a pairing of two Champions League teams.

First-leg games are on February 18 and return games are one week later. The final is scheduled May 26 in Gdansk, Poland.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2020