Who Man Utd could face in the 2024/25 Europa League round of 16 | OneFootball

There was work for Manchester United to do in Bucharest to round off a successful Europa League league phase, and their 2-0 victory over FCSB on Thursday saw them climb up to third in the table.

United's efficient work in the Romanian capital means they ended the first phase of the competition as the only unbeaten team and have been rewarded by having February off. Their automatic progression into the round of 16 means they're not in Europa League action again until March.

UEFA's format changes and the apparent necessity to produce draws of some sort means we already know who United could play in the next phase of the competition after 16 teams battle it out to progress from the knockout play-off round.

Here are the four teams the Red Devils could face in the Europa League round of 16.

Man Utd's potential Europa League round of 16 opponents

Real Sociedad are one of Man Utd's potential round of 16 opponents / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImages

A third-place finish means United will take on either Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, AZ Alkmaar or Midtjylland in the last 16.

United are familiar with La Real having faced them in the group stage of this competition two seasons ago. The La Liga side finished 13th in the league phase table after winning three of their remaining four fixtures. Spanish outfits are laden with Europa League pedigree, although the Basque side have struggled domestically this term.

Galatasaray are unbeaten in the Turkish Super Lig and would be stern opposition over two legs given how tough they're to beat in Istanbul. United failed to beat Gala during their two Champions League group stage matches last season.

AZ and Midtjylland are not as illustrious, but neither should be taken lightly. The latter are competing fiercely with Copenhagen for the Danish Superliga, while AZ beat the likes of Roma and Fenerbahce to qualify for the play-offs.

When will Man Utd know their Europa League opponents?

Ruben Amorim's Red Devils won't be in Europa League action until March / Sportsphoto/Allstar/GettyImages

Friday's knockout round play-off draw saw AZ draw Galatasaray and Midtjylland paired with Real Sociedad. The winners of these two ties will face Man Utd or Tottenham Hotspur in the round of 16.

The play-off games will take place on 13 and 20 February, with the draw for the round of 16 taking place in the aftermath. The draw, set to be held at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, is scheduled for midday (GMT) on Friday 21 February.

United's route to the Bilbao final will also be mapped out.

When is the Europa League round of 16?

Manchester United are the favourites to win the competition / Julian Finney/GettyImages

There's respite for the Red Devils in February, and the club will be able to register any new signings in time for the knockout stages.

The first legs of the round of 16 ties are pencilled in for 6 March, with the return legs taking place a week later on 13 March. As United will be seeded for the draw, they'll host the second leg at Old Trafford.