Man Utd, Tottenham and Chelsea learn who they could face as Europa League and Conference League last-16s are confirmed

MANCHESTER UNITED, Tottenham and Chelsea are all closer to knowing who they will face in the next round of their respective European competitions.

The Premier League trio all booked their spots in the last 16 of either the Europa League or the Conference League thanks to their efforts in the new fangled league phase.

Man Utd and Spurs both finished in the top eight of the Europa League league phase and, as a result, bypassed the need to participate in a play-off round to reach the last 16 proper.

Instead they have been awaiting their opponents in the next round, with one of the winners from the play-offs set to face off against each side.

Thanks to United and Spurs finishing alongside each other – third and fourth respectively – they will be seeded on opposite sides of Friday’s draw.

That means they have known for some time now that they would each take on one of Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, AZ Alkmaar or Midtjylland.

And following the conclusion the play-off round, those four potential opponents have been narrowed down to just two – AZ Alkmaar and Real Sociedad.

Dutch side AZ Alkmaar thrashed Galatasaray 6-3 on aggregate to book their spot in the last 16, while Real Sociedad were pushed hard over two legs against Midtjyland but ultimately ran away with it 7-3.

That means that Spurs and United will each be drawn against one of Sociedad and Alkmaar.

For example, if Spurs draw Sociedad then United will take on AZ Alkmaar. The Prem rivals CANNOT play each other.

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And as a result of finishing third and fourth, Man Utd and Spurs will not meet in this year’s competition unless both teams reach the final.

Tottenham have already gotten the better of AZ Alkmaar once this season, beating them 1-0 during the league phase of the competition.

A second half penalty from Richarlison proved to be the difference between the two sides back in October as Alkmaar had a man sent off in the late stages.

Rangers, meanwhile, will face either Bodo/Glimt or Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.

Whichever team is not drawn against Rangers will take on Olympiacos.

The draw to find out who faces who will take place in Switzerland on Friday.

That’s where Chelsea will also learn their fate too, as they await their last 16 opponents after topping the Conference League table with a flawless league phase campaign.

FC Copenhagen’s 4-3 aggregate win over Heidenheim and Real Betis’ two-legged victory over Gent, means it’ll be one of Betis or Copenhagen who face the tough task of taking on the Londoners in the next round.

Whoever isn’t drawn to face Chelsea will take on Portuguese side Vitoria de Guimaraes.

A tie with Betis would mean Chelsea would have to deal with in-form Antony, who sealed a loan to the La Liga club in January and has been scoring for fun since.

As the seeded teams, Chelsea, Man Utd and Spurs will contest the away leg of their round of 16 tie on March 6, with the reverse fixtures in England scheduled for March 13.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk