- Each side certified for the last-16 after beating FCSB and Elfsborg respectively
- Meaning they’ll keep away from the burden of getting to advance by way of a play-off spherical
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Manchester United and Tottenham have discovered who they could face within the Europa League spherical of 16 following the conclusion of the group section on Thursday evening.
Each side certified for the last-16 mechanically after beating Romanian outfit FCSB and Swedish aspect Elfsborg respectively.
Meaning they’ll keep away from the added burden of getting to advance by way of a two-legged play-off spherical.
United ran out as 2-0 winners in Bucharest courtesy of targets from Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo whereas Spurs loved a return to successful methods in north London due to targets from kids Damola Ajayi, Dane Scarlett and Mikey Moore.
A lot of the pre-match build-up had centred round Marcus Rashford’s future after he was left behind in Manchester.
Nonetheless, United nonetheless wanted a win to make certain of ending within the top-eight or some extent to nearly assure their development to the final 16 with out the necessity for a play-off.
Tottenham beat Elfsborg 3-0 due to targets from their younger starlets to achieve the Final 16
Manchester United ran out as 2-0 winners in Bucharest due to Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo
That didn’t cease Ruben Amorim from making 5 modifications, bringing in his No.2 goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and Kobbie Mainoo, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia.
It nonetheless proved to be sufficient towards an FCSB aspect that solely value round £30million to assemble and misplaced 4-0 to Rangers on this competitors.
In consequence, United will come up towards considered one of Actual Sociedad, Galatasaray, AZ Alkmaar or FC Midtjylland.
A win for Tottenham in north London sees them have the identical doable 4 opponents, having completed only one spot under United.
Rangers – who completed in eighth – will face considered one of Bodo/Glimt, Anderlecht, FC Twente or Fenerbahce.
Tottenham have been going through an Elfsborg crew that have been enjoying in simply their fourth aggressive recreation since November when the Swedish league ended with them in seventh place.
The Lillywhites and Postecoglou have been boosted by the return of Micky Van de Ven after three months out of motion with a hamstring damage.
He limped out of the Carabao Cup tie towards Manchester Metropolis on the finish of October and injured himself once more simply 79 minutes into his return towards Chelsea in December.
United and Spurs will each hope to advance to the ultimate, which can happen at Athletic Membership’s San Mames Stadium on Might 21
His absence has been keenly felt and his identify greeted with an amazing roar of approval from the house crowd when the groups have been introduced.
Postecoglou made it clear earlier than kick-off that he wouldn’t be risking him for longer than 45 minutes – and he was duly substituted at half-time.
The temper then turned to considered one of concern for Spurs as soon as once more after Radu Dragusin was compelled to come back off with a knee damage.
However kids coming to the fore within the second half ensured that Postecoglou’s males finally close to needed to raise off cruise-control.
The spherical of 16 matches will probably be held on March 6 and March 13, with the quarter-finals to observe on April 10 and April 17.
Semi-finals will probably be held on Might 1 and Might 8, with each United and Spurs hoping to be within the last, which can happen at Athletic Membership’s San Mames Stadium on Might 21.
