Format, fixtures, more ]Premier League sides Manchester United (3rd - 18 points) and Tottenham (4th - 17 points) are two of the eight that will avoid the first knockout round. Lazio (19 points) finished top with Athletic Bilbao behind them only on goal difference.

NYON, Switzerland — Draw made Friday for the knockout playoffs round in the Europa League: Feb. 13 Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium) vs. Ajax (Netherlands) AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) vs. Galatasaray (Turkey) Midtjylland (Denmark) vs. Real Sociedad (Spain)

Who Manchester United could face in Europa League last-16 after knockout play-off draw - The Europa League stands as United’s best chance of getting back into the Champions League this season