Man United return to Spain in Europa

Manchester United face a second straight trip to Spain after they were paired with Real Betis in the Europa League last 16 draw yesterday. United eliminated La Liga leaders, Barcelona, in a blockbuster tie in the last round.
Betis are 22 points and four places further back in the table and they still pack a threat and received a bye to this round because they won their group ahead of Roma. Premier League leaders Arsenal drew Sporting Lisbon.
Juventus were paired with Freiburg of Germany in a matchup that represents an unlikely reversal of fortunes. Freiburg are unexpectedly fourth in the Bundesliga and heading for Champions League qualification. Juve are seventh in Serie A after a 15-point deduction and the Europa League, which would be a fourth in the competition, represents their best changes of returning to Europe’s top table next season.
Betis’ neighbours, Sevilla, the most successful club in the competition with five titles, face Fenerbahce. Jose Mourinho’s Roma, who won the 2022 Europa Conference League, face a third Spanish club in the last 16, Real Sociedad.
The only meeting of former winners of the competition pairs Shakhtar Donetsk, playing in exile after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, against Feyenoord. Union Berlin and Swiss club Union Saint-Gilloise meet in a tie between two clubs who have never reached a European quarter-finals. The pairing is a rematch from the group stage where both games were 1-0 wins for the away club. The quarter-finals will be held on April 13 and 20, the semi-finals on May 11 and 18. Ties to be played on March 9 and 16.

UEFA Europa League last 16 draw: Union Berlin (GER) v Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL); Sevilla (ESP) v Fenerbahce (TUR); Juventus (ITA) v Freiburg (GER); Bayer Leverkusen (GER) v Ferencvaros (HUN); Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Arsenal (ENG); Manchester United (ENG) v Real Betis (ESP); Roma (ITA) v Real Sociedad (ESP); Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) v Feyenoord (NED) – Ties to be played on March 9 and 16.

UEFA Europa Conference last 16 League draw: AEK Larnaca (CYP) v West Ham (ENG); Fiorentina (ITA) v Sivasspor (TUR); Lazio (ITA) v AZ Alkmaar (NED); Lech Poznan (POL) v Djurgarden (SWE); Basel (SUI) v Slovan Bratislava (SVK); Sheriff Tiraspol (MDA) v Nice (FRA); Anderlecht (BEL) v Villarreal (ESP); Gent (BEL) v Istanbul Basaksehir (TUR)
– Ties to be played on March 9 and 16.

UNITED FORWARD RASHFORD A DOUBT FOR LEAGUE CUP FINAL
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag said he does not know whether in-form Marcus Rashford will be available for the League Cup final against Newcastle this weekend. The 25-year-old forward has been in sparkling form this season and helped the Red Devils beat Barcelona in the Europa League knockout play-off.
United won 2-1 at Old Trafford to seal a 4-3 victory over the Spanish league leaders on aggregate. Rashford was substituted in the 88th minute and appeared to hint on Instagram he had picked up a knock, posting an image of himself walking down the touchline looking in discomfort accompanied with a bandaged emoji. Asked if the forward would be available for the match at Wembley tomorrow, Ten Hag said: “I don’t know. So, players now are coming in. We have to do investigations, medical of course. Yesterday we did but so straight after the game most of the time you can’t say. We have to wait for a 100 percent diagnosis, so we have to wait.”
Ten Hag confirmed Anthony Martial, who has not played since February 1, will not be available for the match as United attempt to end their six-year trophy drought.