Europa League draw LIVE: Manchester United, Tottenham and Rangers through to last-16 as play-offs revealed
The Europa League’s new format sees eight play-off games decided by today’s draw as clubs fight to join Man Utd, Spurs and Rangers in the last-16
The Europa League play-off draw has been revealed as the match-ups for the new format’s first knockout round are decided.
The three British sides in this season’s Europa League – Manchester United, Tottenham and Rangers – are already through to the last-16 after claiming one of the top-eight spots in the inaugural league phase, and they will have to wait for next month’s last-16 draw to find out their possible path to May’s final in Bilbao.
United and Spurs finished third and fourth in the league standings respectively, and will face one of either Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, AZ Alkmaar or Midtjylland in the last-16, while Rangers, who came eighth in the league standings, will play one of Bodo/Glimt, Anderlecht, Twente or Fenerbahce.
The play-off draw paired Galatasaray with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and Real Sociedad with Danish outfit Midtjylland. The winners of those ties know they will face either United or Spurs in the last-16. In the section involving Rangers, Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce play Anderlecht and Twente play Bodo/Glimt.
In the other sections, Roma play Porto in perhaps the tie of the round, Ferencvaros of Hungary play Viktoria Plzen, and POAK of Greece will meet FCSB of Romania.
Europa League play-off draw
So let’s add the top-eight seeded teams.
Play-off 1: Ferencváros vs Viktoria Plzen to play Lazio or Athletic Club
Play-off 2: Twente vs Bodo/Glimt Olympiacos or Rangers
Play-off 3: Union Saint-Gilloise vs Ajax to play Eintracht Frankfurt or Lyon
Play-off 4: AZ vs Galatasaray to play Manchester United or Tottenham
Play-off 5: Midtjylland vs Real Sociedad to play Tottenham or Manchester United
Play-off 6: PAOK vs FSCB to play Lyon or Eintracht Frankfurt
Play-off 7: Fenerbahce vs Anderlecht to play Rangers or Olympiacos
Play-off 8: Porto vs Roma to play Athletic Club or Lazio
Spurs backed to win Europa League
Dejan Kulusevski believes Tottenham can go all the way in the Europa League in this season.
“It would be great (to win the Europa League),” he said. “That is why I work every day as hard as I can to do it. I believe we still can do it.
“A lot of players are coming back from injury now, like Micky [van de Ven], so I still believe we can do it this year.”
Kulusevski backs fit-again Van de Ven to bring energy to Tottenham
Dejan Kulusevski has backed Micky van de Ven to bring much-needed energy to Tottenham after he produced an assured display on his comeback in a 3-0 win over Elfsborg.
A hamstring issue for Van de Ven back on October 30 against Manchester City was the start of Spurs’ injury woe, with the Dutch defender only able to play once during the ensuing three months following a setback in December.
Van de Ven got through 45 minutes on Thursday and will be primed for more at Brentford on Sunday, especially after fellow centre-back Radu Dragusin was forced off with a knee issue.
Tottenham are well placed in three cup competitions and with other key figures set to return next month, Kulusevski is positive they can move up the table.
Dejan Kulusevski backs fit-again Micky van de Ven to bring energy to Tottenham
Alejandro Garnacho has ‘changed in everything’ as Ruben Amorim praises Manchester United winger
Ruben Amorim has heaped praise on Alejandro Garnacho for the way he has kicked on and “changed in everything” since the disappointment of being left out of the Manchester derby.
It is seven weeks since the Argentina international and fellow academy graduate Marcus Rashford were surprisingly omitted from the United squad that went on to to secure a late comeback win at City.
The latter’s continued exile is dominating the headlines, with Amorim saying on the eve of the Europa League match against FCSB that he “has to change” and meet his standards to have a future at Old Trafford.
Speculation rumbles on over Rashford ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline, as does talk about Garnacho’s future – although the 20-year-old’s response to the City setback appears starkly different.
Alejandro Garnacho has ‘changed in everything’ as Ruben Amorim praises Man Utd winger
Who Tottenham could face in Europa League last-16 after knockout play-off draw
Tottenham Hotspur’s unpredictable season will feature knockout football in the Europa League after Spurs claimed a top-eight place.
Ange Postecoglou’s side sit 15th in the Premier League but the Europa League offers them the chance to end their long trophy drought, and Spurs should stand as one of the favourites when their injury crisis clears.
After winning their first three Europa League fixtures this season, Spurs wobbled and suffered defeat to Galatasaray before dropping points against Roma and Rangers. But a win over Hoffenheim, followed by three points again Elfsborg got Tottenham over the line.
Who Spurs could face in Europa League after knockout draw
Who Rangers could face in Europa League after knockout draw
Rangers have learned a little more about how their Europa League campaign after reaching the knockout rounds for the fifth time in six seasons.
A difficult campaign for Philippe Clement’s side domestically has been brightened by better showings in Europe, with Rangers defeating Nice 4-1 away from home and holding Tottenham to a 1-1 draw at Ibrox.
While Rangers suffered a late defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, the Ibrox club secured a 2-1 victory against Union Saint-Gilloise on the final matchday.
Who Rangers could face in Europa League after knockout draw
Who Manchester United could face in Europa League last-16
Manchester United have learned a bit more about their path through the knockout rounds of the Europa League after a turbulent campaign.
United did not win any of their first three games under Erik ten Hag, before interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ruben Amorim steadied the ship.
Though United still left it late to defeat Viktoria Plzen and Rangers, a final victory over FCSB secured their place in the top-eight.
United’s position in the bottom half of the Premier League table means victory in the Europa League is their best chance of returning to the Champions League next season.
And with no teams dropping into the Europa League from the Champions League this season, they will be among the favourites to go all the way.
Who Man Utd could face in Europa League after knockout draw
When is the next Europa League draw?
The full play-off bracket will be set when the next Europa League draw is conducted on Friday 21 February, which is the day after the second leg of the play-off rounds. Mark that in your diaries.
Europa League round dates
Knockout phase play-offs: 13 & 20 February 2025
Round of 16: 6 & 13 March 2025
Quarter-finals: 10 & 17 April 2025
Semi-finals: 1 & 8 May 2025
FULL Europa League play-off draw
Play-off 1: Ferencváros vs Viktoria Plzen
Play-off 2: Twente vs Bodo/Glimt
Play-off 3: Union Saint-Gilloise vs Ajax
Play-off 4: AZ vs Galatasaray
Play-off 5: Midtjylland vs Real Sociedad
Play-off 6: PAOK vs FSCB
Play-off 7: Fenerbahce vs Anderlecht
Play-off 8: Porto vs Roma
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