Man Utd get nightmare draw in Europa League knockouts against Barcelona with stunning two-legged tie between Euro giants

MANCHESTER UNITED will have to beat Barcelona for a place in the Europa League round of 16.

Erik ten Hag’s side were handed a horror play-off tie against the Spanish juggernauts.

Manchester United were drawn against Barcelona in the Europa League play-off roundEPA

The Red Devils failed to grab a bye to the round of 16 after finishing second in their group to Real Sociedad.

Ten Hag did manage to avoid an emotional reunion with former club Ajax during today’s draw in Switzerland.

But United weren’t kept away from European giants Barcelona.

The two European giants have played each other twice in the final of the Champions League before, but one now faces the prospect of not even reaching the Europa League round of 16.

Xavi’s side were the first name drawn out of the hat by Fulham legend Zoltan Gera.

And United’s name quickly followed to set up a blockbuster meeting between two of the world’s biggest clubs.

Barca dropped down to Europe’s second-tier competition after finishing third in their Champions League group behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

It’s the second consecutive season the Spaniards have crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage.

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But it’s still just about as difficult a tie as United could have been given.

Elsewhere Jose Mourinho’s Roma, who won the Europa Conference League last season, have been pitted against RB Salzburg.

Ten Hag’s old side Ajax play German outfit Union Berlin, while Italian giants Juventus were drawn against French side Nantes.

The play-off first legs are scheduled for February 16, with the return leg a week later on February 23.

The draw for the round of 16 will then take place on February 24, where Arsenal will be in the hat after qualifying as group winners.

Europa League play-off draw

Barcelona vs Manchester United

Juventus vs Nantes

Sporting Lisbon vs Midtjylland

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rennes

Ajax vs Union Berlin

Bayer Leverkusen vs Monaco

Sevilla vs PSV Eindhoven

RB Salzburg vs Roma