The first legs of the Europa League and Europa Conference League play-off round will be played on February 16, 2023, before the return legs a week later; Arsenal and West Ham will find out their last-16 opponents after the play-offs, with the draw on February 24, 2023
Tuesday 8 November 2022 06:05, UK
Manchester United will face Barcelona in their Europa League play-off in February, while Jose Mourinho's Roma will take on RB Salzburg.
Xavi's side dropped into the competition after finishing third in their Champions League group, while Man Utd lost out on top spot to Real Sociedad.
Reacting to the draw, Barcelona manager Xavi said: "We will have to compete, going to Manchester against a really top rival and a historic side which has grown a lot with the arrival of (Erik) Ten Hag.
"[They have] great individual players and it is the toughest rival once again in the Europa League.
"We will have time to analyse it, they are a strong team in both defence and attack, not just for Cristiano Ronaldo, but other players [too]. Manchester United are a historic club and they also need to win. Two big teams and it's going to be a massive task."
The two sides have faced each other 13 times in European competition, although Man Utd have only won three of these meetings. The last came in April 2008 with Man Utd winning 1-0 on aggregate in the Champions League semi-finals.
After a goalless draw at the Nou Camp, Paul Scholes' 14th-minute winner at Old Trafford knocked Barcelona out. Man Utd would go on to win the competition that year, beating Chelsea on penalties in the final.
But Barcelona have won each of the last four meetings, including two Champions League finals. They were 2-0 winners at the Stadio Olimpico in May 2009 and beat Man Utd 3-1 at Wembley two years later.
Their last European match-up was in the 2018/19 quarter-finals with Barcelona winning 4-0 on aggregate.
It is also a chance for Cristiano Ronaldo to face off against his former El Clasico rival. The ex-Real Madrid player has scored 20 goals in 34 career appearances against Barcelona, although has never managed to do so for Man Utd.
The Europa League play-off comes in the middle of a busy February for Man Utd, who also face Leeds, Leicester and Brentford in the Premier League.
Elsewhere, Jose Mourinho's Roma will face RB Salzburg with the possibility of being drawn against his former Man Utd side if both teams qualify for the last 16.
Fellow Serie A side Juventus will take on Nantes, Sevilla - six-time winners of the Europa League - will face PSV Eindhoven and Ten Hag's former team Ajax will take on Bundesliga side Union Berlin.
Stephen Warnock on Sky Sports News:
"It's what we want to see as neutrals. You want to see the best teams going up against each other. They are great spectacles.
"Man Utd will fancy their chances. This isn't a Barcelona of old.
"They are still struggling and haven't got the quality and personnel that you would think would challenge for the top honours."
Sue Smith on Sky Sports News:
"Robert Lewandowski will certainly fancy his chances against Man Utd's defence.
"It's a big challenge for Man Utd and a big challenge for their defenders coming up against a player in Lewandowski who we know is absolutely brilliant in front of goal."
The first legs of the last play-off round will be played on February 16, 2023, before the return legs a week later.
Arsenal's automatic progression to the last 16 of this season's Europa League means they will have to wait for the conclusion of the play-off round before learning who they will face next in the competition.
The draw for the last 16 of the Europa League will take place on February 24, 2023, a day after the play-off second legs, with the last-16 ties held on March 9 and March 16 respectively.
In the Europa Conference League play-off draw, Lazio were drawn against Cluj while fellow Serie A side Fiorentina will face Braga.
Anderlecht - formerly managed by Burnley boss Vincent Kompany - will face Ludogorets while Basel take on Trabzonspor for a place in the last-16.
The Premier League's only representative - West Ham - won their group and are automatically into the round of 16 draw, which will take place in February.
The first legs of the last play-off round will be played on February 16, 2023, before the return legs a week later.
West Ham's automatic progression to the last 16 of this season's Europa Conference League means they will have to wait for the conclusion of the play-off round before learning who they will face next in the competition.
The draw for the last 16 of the Europa Conference League will take place on February 24, 2023, a day after the play-off second legs, with the last-16 ties held on March 9 and March 16 respectively.
