- Both parties were classified for the last 16 after beating FCSB and Elfsborg respectively
- That means that they will avoid the burden of having to advance through a play-off round
- Listen now: Everything is starting! Ruben Amorim's comments are notable … but can we blame it?
Manchester United and Tottenham have discovered who they can face in the 16th round of the Europa League after the conclusion of the group phase on Thursday night.
Both parties were classified for the last 16 automatically after beating FCSB and Elfsborg, the Swedish side, respectively.
That means that they will avoid the additional load of having to advance through a two-legged play-off round.
United was over as winners of 2-0 in Bucharest courtesy of goals from Delot and Kobbie Mainoo, while the Spurs enjoyed a return to the winning forms in northern London thanks to the goals of the young Damola Ajayi, Dane Scarlett and Mikey Moore.
Much of the accumulation prior to the party had focused on the future of Marcus Rashford after he was left behind in Manchester.
However, United still needed a victory to be sure to finish between the last eight or a point to virtually guarantee its progression to the last 16 without the need for a play-off.
The young people who stand out in the second half to help spurs to the victory against Elfsborg
United ran out of 2-0 winners in Bucharest courtesy of Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo
That did not prevent Ruben Amorim from making five changes, bringing his goalkeeper number 2 Altay Bayindir and Kobbie Mainoo, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia.
It still turned out to be enough against one side of FCSB that only cost around £ 30 million to meet and lost 4-0 against the Rangers in this competition.
As a result, United will face one of the true society, Galatasaray, Az Alkmaar or FC Midtjylland.
A victory for Tottenham in northern London VE has the same four possible opponents, after having finished only one place under United.
The rangers, who ended in eighth, will face one of Bodo/Glimt, Anderlecht, FC Twente or Fenerbahce.
Tottenham faced an Elfsborg team that was playing in just his fourth competitive game since November when the Swedish league ended them in the seventh place.
The Lillywhites and Postecoglou were driven by Micky's return from see after three months out of action with an injury to the hamstrings.
He ran out of the Caabao Cup draw against Manchester City at the end of October and was hurt again only 79 minutes back against Chelsea in December.
His absence has felt deeply and his name received with a large roar of approval of the local crowd when the equipment was announced.
United and Spurs hope to advance to the final, which will take place at the San Mames stadium in Athletic Club on May 21
Postecoglou made clear before the start that would not risk for more than 45 minutes, and was duly replaced in part time.
The mood became one of concern for spurs once again after Radu Dragusin was forced to go out with a knee injury.
But the young people who arrived at the first in the second half said that Posttecoglou men finally had to expel cruise control.
The 16 games round will take place on March 6 and 13, with the quarterfinals on April 10 and April 17.
The semifinals will take place on May 1 and May 8, with United and Spurs with the hope of being in the final, which will take place at the San Mames stadium in Athletic Club on May 21.
