Europa League: United, Arsenal draw Milan, Olympiacos as Nigerians clash in Slavia vs Rangers tie

THE headline tie in the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League is the one between Manchester United and AC Milan.

The two European giants were pitted against each other during Friday’s draw.

The multiple times European champions have met several times in the past in the UEFA Champions League but are facing each other for the first time in the Europa League.

The common factor between United and Milan at present is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who plays for the Italian club.

He had a remarkable season at United in 2016/2017, when he was directly involved in 37 goals in 46 games: scoring 28 and assisting nine as the club won the Europa League trophy.

In another tie, it will be a battle of Nigerian stars as Czech club Slavia Prague battle Scotland’s Rangers.

Slavia Prague, who saw off Leicester City in the round of 32, rely heavily on Nigeria forward Peter Olayinka, while Rangers count on Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun and midfielder Joe Aribo.

The other Premier League sides left in the competition drew relatively easier opponents than Manchester United.

Arsenal were rewarded for their last-gasp win over Benfica with a tie against Greek club Olympiacos who have incidentally pulled off a European upset against the Gunners before.

Tottenham Hotspur will face Dinamo Zagreb after thrashing Austria’s Wolfsberger home and away.

Granada, who ended the journey for Victor Osimhen’s Napoli, drew Norway’s Molde, and Samuel Chukwueze’s Villarreal are up against Dynamo Kiev.

Ajax, losing finalists in 2017, will play Young Boys of Switzerland, while AS Roma face Shakhtar Donetsk.

Europa League round of 16 draw 

Granada vs Molde

Slavia Prague vs Rangers 

Manchester United vs AC Milan 

Dinamo Zagreb vs Tottenham

Olympiacos vs Arsenal 

AS Roma vs Shakhtar Donetsk 

Dynamo Kiev vs Villarreal

Ajax vs Young Boys