‘Magnificent Performance’ says Ten Hag after Utd beat Barca 2-1 in 2nd leg
The draw for the Europa League last-16 takes place this morning as the group stage winners are paired against the play-off winners in the knockout rounds.
Arsenal were among the eight clubs to top their respective Europa League group so are seeded for the draw which takes place at 11am.
Manchester United are also through after defeating Barcelona in the two-legged play-off. Erik ten Hag’s men played out a 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp in the opening leg before coming from behind to win 2-1 at Old Trafford last night. Fred cancelled out Robert Lewandowski’s penalty before Antony came off the bench to send the Red Devils into the last-16.
As United came through the play-offs they are unseeded for this draw meaning they will face one of the group winners – except Arsenal who are from the same country – in the next stage of the competition.
Following the Europa League draw will be the draw for the Europa Conference League last-16. West Ham are involved in that one after finishing top of their group and despite struggles in the Premier League this year the Hammers have been solid competitors in Europe.
Follow along for the Europa League and Europa Conference League last-16 draws:
Who are the seeded group stage winners?
Eight teams topped the Europa League group stages and went straight through to the last-16. They are:
Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL)
Theses sides will have home advantage in the second leg of the round of 16 matches.
Michael Jones24 February 2023 10:00
How does it work?
The eight Europa League group-stage winners are seeded, and the eight play-off winners (matches between the group-stage runners-up and the relegated Champions League sides) are unseeded.
The seeded club will have home advantage in the second leg but teams cannot be drawn against another side from the domestic leagues.
Michael Jones24 February 2023 09:56
When is the Europa League last-16 draw?
The draw takes place in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday 24 February, at 11am GMT.
The Europa League group winners will be paired with one of the teams who successfully made it through the play-off round.
Michael Jones24 February 2023 09:52
Europa League draw
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live blog covering the two European knockout round draws taking place today. First up at 11am GMT is the draw for the Europa League round of 16.
The British interest here lies with Arsenal and Manchester United. The Gunners sailed straight through to the last-16 having won five of their six group games – the only blip in that run being a 2-0 defeat to PSV Eindhoven on matchday five.
Manchester United meanwhile had to get through a two-legged play-off. They were drawn against Barcelona who dropped out of the Champions League. The first leg was played at the Nou Camp and after shipping the opening goal Erik ten Hag’s men fought back to lead 2-1 only for Raphinha to strike late and end the game in a draw.
The tie concluded last night at Old Trafford with Barcelona once again taking the lead through a Robert Lewandowski penalty before Brazilian duo Fred and Antony both scored to send United through 4-3 on aggregate.
As they came through the play-offs the Red Devils are unseeded so will face one of the Europa League group winners in the next round except Arsenal as teams cannot face another side from the same domestic league at this stage.
The Europa Conference League draw then follows. West Ham United will be hoping for a favourable opponent after making it through to the last-16. David Moyes’ men have struggled in the Premier League this season but they’re going on a fine European adventure and will hope to continue it.
Michael Jones24 February 2023 09:21
