Europa League Draw: Manchester United, Tottenham Gear Up For Knockout Stage

NYON, Switzerland — The draw for the UEFA Europa League knockout stage is set to take place on Friday, February 21, 2025, at 12 p.m. GMT, as British clubs Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Rangers await their next challenges. This year’s European format has added an extra layer of intrigue, shifting many teams’ fortunes.

Manchester United and Tottenham, who have struggled in the Premier League, have found their footing in European competition. United secured their place in the last 16 by finishing third in their group, while Spurs finished just a point behind in fourth. Both teams are now focused on a path towards the final, slated for May 21, at Athletic Bilbao’s San Mamés Stadium.

“Making it to this stage is crucial for us this season, especially given our struggles domestically,” said a Manchester United spokesperson. “We are looking forward to the draw and hope to build on our recent performances.”

In the previous round, United triumphed with five consecutive wins, following initial draws against FC Twente, Porto, and Fenerbahce. Tottenham, although experiencing ups and downs, also managed to advance steadily through a tumultuous group phase.

The draw will see the seeded teams, including both Manchester United and Tottenham, pitted against unseeded teams. This means there is potential for intense matchups as clubs like Lazio and Athletic Bilbao, who finished at the top of their respective groups, pose a significant threat.

“There is no easy path in this tournament,” commented a UEFA official. “With the new format, this year’s competition is more competitive than ever.”

Rangers also secured their place in the last 16, avoiding the knockout phase playoffs thanks to a solid performance in the league phase. They, too, will be anticipating an interesting draw as they look to advance deeper in the tournament.

Though favorites to win the tournament, the British clubs face stiff competition from established European sides, particularly Lazio and Bilbao, who will have the advantage of playing at home should they reach the final.

At 1 p.m. GMT, attention will shift to the UEFA Europa Conference League draw, where Chelsea, another British side, will find out their next opponent following their impressive group stage performance that saw them win all six matches. Chelsea leads the tournament rankings, with potential matchups against either Real Betis or FC Copenhagen.

As the excitement builds in Nyon, the outcomes of these draws could significantly affect the trajectories of the teams involved, either propelling them further toward European glory or challenging their ambitions prematurely.