Uefa Europa last-16 draw: Man United paired with Liverpool, Tottenham to meet Dortmund

England’s two most decorated sides will clash in the Europa League after Liverpool and Manchester United were drawn together in round of 16. Liverpool will host the first leg at Anfield with Old Trafford staging the return.

Former Swiss forward and this year's UEFA Europa League final ambassador Alexander Frei shows the name of Liverpool during the round of 16 draw of the UEFA Europa League football championship at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon on February 26, 2016. AFP PHOTO / ALAIN GROSCLAUDE

Manchester United and Liverpool, English football’s two most decorated clubs, will face each other in the last 16 of the Europa League, extending a rivalry dating back to the 19th century into European competition for the first time.

The arch-rivals have won 38 league titles between them as well as eight European Cups, yet both are struggling in the Premier League this season and are unlikely to relish being pitted against each other at this stage of the competition.

Friday’s Europa League draw produced other mouthwatering ties.

Richard Jolly: James Milner's early penalty sends Liverpool through to Europa League last 16

Bookmakers’ favourites Borussia Dortmund were handed a tricky route into the last eight against Tottenham Hotspur, second in the Premier League behind Leicester City.

Holders Sevilla, chasing a third successive title, will play Basel, while Valencia, who have enjoyed a recent resurgence by winning their last four games under English coach Gary Neville, face an all-Spanish tie against Athletic Bilbao.

Liverpool and United first played each other more than 120 years ago, but they have never faced off in European competition, adding an extra dimension to what past experience suggests is likely to be a feisty encounter.

United hold the upper hand in recent meetings and have completed back-to-back league doubles over their rivals, with Liverpool yet to record a victory against United manager Louis van Gaal.

“It’s great,” Liverpool’s German boss Juergen Klopp told reporters following the draw. “We deserve these games. It’s not easy. I told my staff yesterday that I wanted Man United.”

For Liverpool and United the competition has taken on added significance with both having slipped off the pace in the chase for a place in the Premier League’s top four, which would secure qualification for the Champions League.

Since last season, the winners of the Europa League have been handed a back-door pass into the continent’s elite competition.

Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk were drawn against Belgian side Anderlecht, Villarreal will face Bayer Leverkusen, Sparta Prague will play Lazio and Fenerbahce take on Braga.

The two-legged ties will be played March 10 and 17.

Europa League round of 16 draw (matches on March 10 and 17)

Shakhtar Donetsk v Anderlecht

Basle v Sevilla

Villarreal v Bayer Leverkusen

Athletic Bilbao v Valencia

Liverpool v Manchester United

Sparta Prague v Lazio

Borussia Dortmund v Tottenham

Fenerbahce v Braga

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