Manchester United have been handed a tough draw in the Europa League last 32 knockout stage where they will face current Spanish league leaders Real Sociedad.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the draw took place at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side finished third in their Champions League group and dropped into the second tier competition after last week’s defeat by RB Leipzig FC.

The clash with Sociedad will see United come up against former Manchester City favourite David Silva, now back in his homeland where he has inspired Sociedad to their excellent start to the domestic season.

The draw also produced a clash between two former European champions with AC Milan facing Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade while French league leaders Lille face Ajax Amsterdam in a fascinating tie.

Premier League strugglers Arsenal also have a tough draw against Portugal’s Benfica, but their local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who are top of the league, will be happier with their tie against Austrian club Wolfsberger.

FULL DRAW

Wolfsberger AC v Tottenham Hotspur

Dynamo Kyiv v Club Brugge

Real Sociedad v Manchester United

Benfica v Arsenal

Red Star Belgrade v AC Milan

Royal Antwerp v Rangers

Slavia Prague v Leicester City

RB Salzburg v Villarreal

Braga v AS Roma

Krasnodar v Dinamo Zagreb

Young Boys v Bayer Leverkusen
Molde v Hoffenheim

Granada v Napoli

Maccabi Tel-Aviv v Shakhtar Donetsk

Lille v Ajax Amsterdam

Olympiakos v PSV Eindhoven

First legs to be played on Feb. 18. Second legs to be played on Feb. 25.

The draw for the round of 16 will take place on Feb. 26. (Reuters/NAN)