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Manchester United face Russian side Rostov in last 16 of Europa League

Henrikh Mkhitaryan (R) celebrates his goal with team-mates
Image: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (R) celebrates his goal at St Etienne with team-mates

Manchester United have been drawn against Russian side Rostov in the last 16 of the Europa League - which boss Jose Mourinho says is "bad in every aspect".

United - who eased through with a 4-0 aggregate victory over St Etienne - are last English club in the competition following Tottenham's 3-2 aggregate defeat to Gent.

Mourinho's men will go to Russia for the first leg on March 9, then host Rostov in the second leg at Old Trafford on March 16.

According to UEFA coefficients, Rostov are the lowest-ranked team left in the tournament. But they could well provide United with a stern test - they can boast a 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich this season in the Champions League.

They also drew twice with PSV Eindhoven and lost by single goal home and away to Atletico Madrid.

Rostov midfielder Christian Noboa celebrates after scoring the third goal against Bayern Munich
Image: Rostov midfielder Christian Noboa celebrates after scoring the third goal against Bayern Munich

Their failure to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League meant they were added to the Europa League and they qualified for the last 16 by cruising past Sparta Prague. Rostov hammered them 4-0 in the first leg at home, and drew 1-1 in the Czech capital.

Mourinho said: "It is a bad draw in every aspect. It is far and it is difficult and comes in a bad period for us.

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"It is difficult because they are a very difficult team. They had a very good Champions League campaign, they beat Ajax and Anderlecht in the play-offs.

"And then in the group phase they obviously had a very difficult group with Bayern (Munich) and Atletico (Madrid) and they managed important results against them. They beat Bayern, they drew with Atletico. They got the third position, leaving PSV (Eindhoven) out.

Jose Mourinho wears shirt showing Claudio Ranieri initials during press conference day after Italian is sacked as Leicester manager
Image: Jose Mourinho wears shirt showing Claudio Ranieri initials during press conference day after Italian is sacked as Leicester manager

"I know the manager (Ivan Daniliants) well - I played against him when he was at Rubin Kazan and I was at Inter.

"The team is really difficult - very defensive, very physical. So, a bad draw but, after Southampton and Bournemouth, we focus on it and we go for it."

Rostov were, conversely, thrilled to be facing United.

Assistant manager Dmitri Kirichenko told the club's website: "Probably Manchester United are the most powerful rival we could get. Wow, in one season our fans will see many super clubs."

In other ties, there is an all-German clash between Schalke and Borussia Monchengladbach, and Spurs' conquerors Gent facing fellow-Belgians Genk.

Celta Vigo, the only Spanish side left in the competition, host Russian side Krasnodar.

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Draw in full:

Celta Vigo v Krasnodar

Apoel v Anderlecht

Schalke v Borussia Moenchengladbach

Lyon v Roma

Rostov v Manchester United

Olympiakos v Besiktas

Gent v Genk

FC Copenhagen v Ajax

First leg matches will be played on March 9. Second legs to be played on March 16.

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