Manchester United’s failure to top their Europa League group means they must now face a side dropped from the Champions League in a further knockout round.
The round-trip match will be played in February, with the first tie on the 16th and the second on the 23rd.
United will find out on Monday which team they will face in the round, with eight possible opponents.
A delicious draw against Barcelona could be on the cards, which would be arguably the toughest match available. One wonders how Erik ten Hag and Frenkie de Jong could greet each other in that matter.
Paul Pogba could have an unwanted return to Old Trafford if United draw Juventus in the next round.
Another meeting would ensue if the Red Devils meet Ajax, with Erik ten Hag, Antony and Lisandro Martinez making the switch in the summer.
If Cristiano Ronaldo is still a Manchester United player in February, a draw with Sporting Lisbon could have a telling feeling as the legendary goalscorer ends his career.
A match with Sevilla would allow Alex Telles to show off his skills against United, with players on loan without restrictions to play against their parent clubs in European competitions.
Bayer Leverkusen lost 5-0 the last time they met United and given their current Bundesliga struggles, they could perhaps be one of the easiest teams to draw.
Meanwhile, RB Salzburg would give fans a chance to get a closer look at last summer’s transfer target Benjamin Sesko, although his imminent move to RB Leipzig means there is a chance of regret there.
Shakhtar Donetsk would likely be a draw Erik ten Hag would hope to avoid, given it would be by far the longest away trip, no doubt a difficulty with the hectic schedule United will face at that point in the season.
While the Red Devils ideally would have wanted to avoid this round entirely, whoever they draw is in for a show.
