The draw for the Europa League last 16 has set the stage for some exciting matchups, with Manchester United set to take on Real Sociedad, Tottenham facing off against AZ Alkmaar, and Rangers meeting Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce. If United progresses, they will face either FCSB or Lyon in the quarter-finals, while Spurs or AZ Alkmaar could potentially meet Eintracht Frankfurt or Ajax in the last eight. Rangers, on the other hand, will be up against Roma or Athletic Bilbao if they can get past Fenerbahce.
United and Tottenham find themselves on opposite sides of the draw, raising the possibility of a showdown in the final in Bilbao on 21 May. The victor would secure a spot in next season’s Champions League, a tantalizing prospect for both clubs. With the Premier League likely to secure five Champions League places next season, an all-English final could pave the way for a sixth English team in the competition in 2025-26, given that Spurs and United are unlikely to finish in the top five.
Meanwhile, Chelsea will be facing FC Copenhagen in the last 16 of the Conference League, adding another layer of intrigue to the European competitions. United, Spurs, and Rangers will all be playing away in the first leg of their last-16 ties on Thursday, 6 March, with the return legs scheduled for 13 March. Chelsea, on the other hand, will travel to Denmark for the first leg against Copenhagen on 6 March, with the return leg at Stamford Bridge a week later.
Rangers’ Fans Anticipate Mourinho’s Visit to Ibrox
Rangers fans are eagerly anticipating the visit of former Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho to Ibrox in the coming weeks. Mourinho’s Fenerbahce team currently sits second in the Turkish Super Lig table, trailing leaders Galatasaray by six points with 13 games remaining. There’s a potential path through the tournament that could see Mourinho facing his former clubs in the later stages, with the possibility of clashes against Roma, Manchester United, and Tottenham along the way.
Manchester United and Real Sociedad have recent history, having met in the 2022-23 season. After Sociedad secured a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in the Europa League group stage, United turned the tables with a 1-0 win in the Basque Country, courtesy of Alejandro Garnacho’s winner. Similarly, Spurs have already faced AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League this season, with Richarlison scoring the decisive goal from the penalty spot in a 1-0 victory in north London.
As the Europa League last 16 draws near, football fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the exciting matchups that lie ahead. From the potential for English clubs to dominate European competitions to the intriguing storylines of former managers facing off against their old clubs, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the season. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds on the European stage.
