Man Utd and Arsenal's best and worst case scenarios for the Europa League round of 16 draw

Manchester United beat Barcelona at Old Trafford on Thursday to qualify for the Europa League last-16, while Arsenal confirmed their place in the competition's knockout stages months ago having finished top of Group A. Here is who either team could face in the next round.

United’s Brazilian duo Fred and Antony both scored in front of a jubilant Stretford End to cancel out Robert Lewandowski’s first-half penalty and send Erik ten Hag’s side through to the Europa League latter stages.

It was the first time Barcelona had been eliminated from European competition without reaching the last 16 since 1998-1999.

The Old Trafford club join fellow Premier League side Arsenal in the draw for the last-16, which takes place at 11am GMT on Friday, February 24 at UEFA’s headquarters, the House of European Football, in Nyon, Switzerland.

Man Utd best and worst-case scenario

After overcoming Barcelona, United can face one of seven seeded teams who each won their Europa League Groups.

However, Ten Hag’s side can not be drawn against a club from the same association at this point, meaning the Red Devils can’t meet Arsenal in the last-16.

United’s most tricky encounter would likely be against Real Sociedad, given the La Liga side have already beaten the Manchester club this season.

Indeed, Sociedad topped Group E on goal difference ahead of United, after winning 1-0 at Old Trafford. However, they lost the reverse fixture by the same scoreline.

Alternatively, United’s most favourable drawn would be Belgian-based side Union Saint-Gilloise, who are second in the Belgian Pro League, some seven points behind Genk.

Here are all the teams United could face in the Europa League last-16:

Real Betis (ESP)

Fenerbahce (TUR)

Ferencvaros (HUN)

Feyenoord (NED)

Freiburg (GER)

Real Sociedad (ESP)

Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL)

Arsenal's best and worst-case scenario

Arsenal can take on any of the unseeded sides in the competition, which are the teams who came through Thursday’s knockout play-offs.

Despite being seeded, the Gunners could still be drawn against some of Europe’s powerhouses in the last-16.

Indeed, the worst draw would likely be a tie against Juventus. Though the Italian giants have faltered domestically this season, they eased through their Europa League play-off tie, beating Nantes 4-1 on aggregate.

Moreover, the Old Lady still boast the likes of Angel Di Maria, Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa in their forward line.

The best-case scenario for Mikel Arteta’s side would be a tie against Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk, who sit second in their domestic league.

Indeed, Shakhtar may prove to be an easier proposition than the side that impressed in the Champions League group stages, given Mykhailo Mudryk’s January departure to Chelsea.

Here are all the teams Arsenal could face in the Europa League's last 16:

Sevilla (ESP)

Juventus (ITA)

Sporting Lisbon (POR)

Bayer Leverkusen (GER)

Union Berlin (GER)

Roma (ITA)

Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)

Follow all the reaction from today's draw at SPORTbible's live blog, as Arsenal and United discover their last-16 opponents

Topics: Football, Europa League, Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona, Mikel Arteta, Erik Ten Hag

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.