Manchester United's Europa League last 16 opponent revealed

And there we have it. That hasn't worked out too badly for United. They have been drawn against the lowest side remaining in the competition with four of their biggest threats paired off against each other.

Roma take on Lyon while Schalke meet Borussia Monchengladbach in all German affair, two of those sides won't be in the draw for the quarter-finals. That bodes extremely well for United's chances of winning the competition for the first time.

A 3000+ mile round trip isn't what Jose Mourinho would have been after, however. United will play that away tie on Thursday 9 March, just three days before their FA Cup quarter-final tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Europa League last 16 draw:

Celta Vigo vs FC Krasnodar
Apoel FC vs Anderlecht
Schalke vs Borussia Monchengladbach
Lyon vs Roma
FC Rostov vs Manchester United
Olympiakos vs Besiktas
Gent vs Genk
FC Copenhagen vs Ajax

Ties to be played on 9 March and 16 March

FC Copenhagen vs Ajax

Gent vs Genk

Olympiakos vs Besiktas

FC Rostov vs Manchester United

Lyon vs Roma

Schalke vs Borussia Monchengladbach

Apoel FC vs Anderlecht

Celta Vigo vs FC Krasnodar

And here we go; the draw for the last 16 of the Europa League is...

Former Bayern Munich defender Patrik Andersson has been rolled out to help with the draw this afternoon.

A Uefa man gets us started with a video package. Needless filler? At a Uefa competition draw? Goodness.

And the ceremony in Nyon is officially underway.

We are almost ready to get going...

While we wait for the draw, why not check out the reaction to Tottenham's elimination last night? Dele Alli's horror challenge that earned him a straight red card was the subject of the most of the post-match discussion. Here is what Mauricio Pochettino had to say.

This time last year, four Spanish sides were in the round of 16 draw in Sevilla, Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao and Valencia. Two of them made it into the final four with Sevilla the competition's most successful club claiming the trophy last May.

It's a bit different this time round with Celta Vigo, currently sat ninth in La Liga, the only Spanish representation left in the competition.

What about Lyon? Bruno Génésio's side plundered seven at home to AZ Alkmaar last night, beating the Dutch side 11-2 on aggregate. For once, Alexandre Lacazette wasn't on the scoresheet. The France international, was the subject of a €35m bid from Arsenal last summer, has scored 21 times in 21 Ligue 1 appearances. He would someone for United to fear.

Worst possible scenario for Manchester United?

United have had some good days against Roma, chiefly their 7-1 thrashing of the Giallorossi in the Champions League knock out stages 10 years ago. Their run of 10 wins in their last 11 games was ended last night at home to Villarreal, but a comprehensive 4-0 win away in Spain in the first leg was more than enough to see them through.

Luciano Spalletti's side sit second in Serie A, seven points behind league leaders Juventus. With a host of former Premier League players among their ranks, United will be keen to avoid them.

Best possible scenario for Manchester United?

FC Rostov are the lowest ranked side remaining in the competition, but the Russians are certainly here on merit having thrashed Sparta Prague 5-1 on aggregate to book their place in the last 16.

Apoel Nicosia are the second lowest ranked side but similarly, they proved they are no push overs by beating Athletic Bilbao over two legs in the last round.

Trips to Ajax, Lyon or Anderlecht would provide the shortest trips, a big bonus given United's packed fixture schedule over the coming weeks.

The round of 32 stage went rather well for United. A short journey and a comfortable win over Saint-Etienne caused no problems with many of the competition's more feared sides also falling.

Athletic Bilbao, who tormented United in 2012 are out having lost on aggregate to Apoel Nicosia, with Villarreal also out of the equation. Shakhtar Donetsk and Fiorentina are also history with an all-Premier League clash with Tottenham now also off the table.

When will the last 16 ties take place?

Fixtures are scheduled to take place on 9 March and 16 March.

Who is in the Europa League last 16 draw?

Krasnodar, Schalke, Manchester United, Lyon, Borussia Monchengladbach, Genk, FC Rostov, FC Copenhagen, Celta Vigo, Gent, Olympiacos, Anderlecht, Roma, Apoel Nicosia, Besiktas, Ajax.

Tottenham Hotspur's dismal failure at Wembley last night means we are down to just one side representing the Premier League in the last 16 of the Europa League.

Mauricio Pochettino's side toiled against Gent, bowing out of the competition at the first hurdle of the knockout rounds after that 3-2 defeat. That means their only hope of qualification for next season's Champions League now rests on them finishing in the top four of the Premier League.

Manchester United still have two shots at returning to Europe's premier competition. An easy 4-0 aggregate win over Saint-Etienne saw them cruise into the last 16, with some of the more established sides in the competition having already fallen.

This afternoon's draw is scheduled to get underway at 12pm GMT. Stick with us for all your build-up.