Manchester United head into the draws for the last 16 of the Europa League knowing they can face anybody.
Here are the live draws as they hold
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Anderlecht
Liverpool vs. Man United
Borussia Dortmund vs. Tottenham
Athletic Bilbao vs. Valencia
Villarreal vs Bayer Leverkusen.
The Leicester City forward has named Manchester United's Chris Smalling as the toughest defender he has met.
The striker and his team have been a revelation this season, and are currently surprise table topper, with the title in their sight.
The striker leads the scorers chart in the Premiership and has memory of spectacular goals against teams like Liverpool.
Speaking at the launch of launch of Betfair’s ‘Acca Edge’ he said:
“On a personal level, Chris Smalling [has been my toughest opponent]. Via Sportskeeda
"He’s always tight and always around you to stop you from doing your bit on the ball or getting turned.”
“It makes it very difficult for you to bring your team-mates into the game as well.”
Both players faced each other when Vardy scored his record breaking goal - of scoring in eleven consecutive premier league matches.
The United gaffer is hoping his star summer signing can take his performance to the next level when United host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
"I'm very happy for him.
"You need these kind of matches and he played fantastic. He can play fantastic so maybe it's a turning point. You never know.
"I hope it is, with all my heart, but we have to wait and see. Arsenal is another level.
"I think he was fantastic. Of course, everyone has seen that. It was also spectacular, I think, to see and watch him but I hope he shall show
it also against Arsenal. As I say, it's another level but I think I'm very confident he shall do that."
The winger has been hugely criticised for majority of his performances this season but Depay put in a man of the match performance against Midtjylland with fans and manager hoping the performance can be a stepping stone to better and consistent ones.
Van Gaal was speaking after the game: via Official Manchester United website.
Manchester United staged what looked like their performance of the season so far, when teal dismantled their Danish opposition 5-1.
Redlyunited looks at five main talking points from the game:
1. Anthony Martial's injury: A blessing in disguise
The Frenchman joined De Gea, by picking up an injury few minutes into the game.
With news of his absence circulating, critics must have been waiting for United to lose, and Van Gaal get the media sacking again.
Few had started to understandably began to criticise him for starting the season with only two strikers. But after 90 minutes, most of his critics had joined in the praises of some United players.
Howbeit Martial's injury may have won United the game, allowing the likes of Depay and Rashford to take full responsibility of United's fate for the night.
His injury has been confirmed not heavy, and he could be back against Arsenal. Meaning he got a much needed compulsory rest.
2. A new star is born at Old Trafford
Before this game, only followers of the U-18 and youth team would have known much about Rashford. Young, Raw, strong hungry and talented.
He was totally unbelievable on the night. Two vital goals in your debut match against an European opposition is no child's play.
He now joins James Wilson in scoring for United's u-18's, u19's, u21's and the first team in the same season. He also joins Wayne Rooney as one of the few United players who open their goal scoring account for United on big European nights, with more than a goal.
Very sure this is not the last we would be seeing of this youngster this season. With United still in the FA Cup, Europa League and faint top four fight, he'll definitely get more chance this season.
But for now, he is one of the few positives of a poor season for United.
3. Depay could start a new United career with his performance on the night
The Dutchman on the night rose up to the big occasion, and stood tall to be counted. He has for the most part of his first season at United ended most games as a flop.
His performance on the night was arguably his best so far this year in United's jersey.
With United approaching a vital end to a turbulent season, next match against Arsenal: he could show United how new a signing he is.
United fans will be hoping to see a similar showing from him against the Gunners. With some little consistency, he just may lead United to one title.
4. A season for the Academy
The United academy is no doubt on of the best in the country and this season has testified to that again.
Though injury caused, here are some facts about the academy this season and in the night.
- 11 of United's 18 man squad for tonight are 23 or under, with 7 players from the academy plus 17 year old Poole who went straight into U21.
- Poole is the 14th academy player to be given his debut by Van Gaal.
- Two youth players start and five on bench...3,785 consecutive United first team games since October 1937 with youth player in squad.
From Poole to Joe Riley, to Rashford to Borthwick-Jackson and many more, the United academy has once again showed it effectiveness in supporting the first team.
5. All set for Arsenal clash
United must still give the top four a final fight, and what a performance, and scoreline to have before heading into a must win match with the Gunners.
The confidence level in the United camp must be sky high now, and that's what is needed to stage and effective fight against Arsenal.
With the Gunners losing to Barcelona on Tuesday, United with a confidence returning victory on Thursday, everything is set for a Super Sunday.
After knocking out FC Midtjylland 6-3 on aggregate, United head into today's Europa League draw as one of the dark horses.
All attention now switches over to Swiss capital Nyon for the draw.
At this stage of the draws, there are no seedings, or restriction of facing sides from the same country. This means United can meet Premier League rivals Liverpool and Tottenham after both teams made it through.
Valencia managed by former United defender Garry Neville are still in the competition, and are a possibility.
Defending champions Holders Sevilla are still in and remains the clear favorite.
Manchester United have faced all but one of the teams remaining in the draws.
Here is a list of all the teams heading into the draws:
Athletic Bilbao (Spain) Anderlecht (Belgium)
Basel (Switzerland )
Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Braga (Portugal)
Fenerbahce (Turkey)
Lazio (Italy)
Liverpool (England)
Manchester United
(England)
Sevilla (Spain)
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)
Sparta Prague (Czech
Republic)
Tottenham (England)
Valencia (Spain)
Villarreal (Spain)
Draws hold today
Date: Friday, 26 February
Time: 12:00 GMT
The round of 16 ties will be played on 10 and 17 March 2016.
Van Gaal has revealed that the Frenchman suffered a a light hamstring injury, that made him miss United's victory over FC Midtjylland.
That striker became United's second player that would sit out a game after been included in the staring line up, after De Gea suffered similar fate in the first leg in Denmark.
His injury ended up being a blessing in disguise for United as his substitute Marcos Rashford, stole the show on the night, netting a brace on his debut.
Van Gaal thinks the young striker took the best decision not to force himself to play.
"It should be his first muscle injury (since joining United).
"But he is smart and wise to step out. It is not a rupture or anything like that. A tight hamstring. I don't think it is very heavy."
This means the striker stands a small chance if making the Arsenal game on Sunday.
Van Gaal also thinks fatigue could have caused Martial's injury.
"Anthony can be tired. He's only 20 and he's played all the matches so it's not so remarkable. He stepped down himself and that I like very much.
" He is very intelligent - he steps down when his hamstring is tight.
Van Gaal was speaking to BT Sports after the game. Via official Man United's website.
The injured Manchester United left back hinted on Twitter that he is close to his return, just as United are a step closer to the final of the Europa League.
Van Gaal had once disclosed that the player could be back for United this season, if United go as far as the finals of the Europa League.
The player himself got injured while playing for United in Europe, though not in the Europa League.
Here's what he tweeted:
Closer to the final, closer to my comeback 😝
2:41 PM - 25 Feb 2016
His tweet came after United knocked out FC Midtjylland to get into the round of 16, of the competition.
The former United midfielder hailed United's all round performance of the night as one of the best in recent times at Old Trafford.
United were shocked when Midtjylland took the lead, but Marcus Rashford's brace and Depay's brilliance on the night caused United to score five goals, winning the match 5-1 and the tie 6-3.
The former United star was full of praises for both players and the United's philosophy of raising young players.
“It’s as good as we’ve seen at Old Trafford for some time.
“This club is all about bringing young players through. We’ve seen a special debut (from Rashford) and hopefully he’ll kick on from there." He said after the game on BT Sports.
“Tonight will mean a lot to (Van Gaal).
"He’s not been happy with the
performances. It’s a great confidence booster, the young players have been great and
Memphis Depay was sensational.
“To score five goals at Old Trafford is entertainment, and that’s what we want."
Manchester United produced one if their best performance in Europe under Van Gaal on the night. Memphis Depay and youngster Rashford were in the top of their games.
United manager Van Gaal has tell the media what he told the two goal hero Rashford at halftime. Speaking after the game, about the teenager, he said:
"Rashford was unbelievable, he was at the sidelines and I sat him down and told him he should be in the middle, he scored two."
Anthony Martial is out with
an injury and Marcus Rashford starts in his place.
Martial got injured early into warm-up.
More to come...
S.Romero; Varela, Carrick, Blind, Riley; Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera; Lingard, Mata, Memphis; Martial.
Subs: J.Pereira, Rojo, Poole, McNair, Love, A.Pereira, Rashford.
Midtjylland XI to play United : Andersen,
Rømer, Hansen, Bodurov, Novak, Sparv,
Poulsen, Olsson, Hassan, Sisto, Urena.
Manchester United will be without defenders Chris Smalling and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson for tonight's match against FC Midtjylland. According to Manchester Evening News.
The squad for tonight includes 18 year old Marcus Rashford and fourth choice goalkeeper Joel Pereira.
Here's the 18 man squad for the match:
Romero, Joel Pereira, Love, Varela, Poole, Rojo, Blind, McNair, Riley, Herrera, Schneiderlin,Carrick, Lingard, Mata, Andreas Pereira, Memphis, Martial, Rashford.
The United second choice keeper has been speaking ahead of the return leg of the Europa League match with FC Midtjylland.
The Argentine was called upon less than five minutes to kick off in the first leg of the tie, after De Gea's injury in the warmup.
Despite his low level of top preparation, he put in a great performance that kept United in the tie.
The goalkeeper recounted how De Gea got injured in an interview with United Review.
“I’m fortunate to have a very calm head on my shoulders.
“I always have to be ready and w iting for my chance to play. I was helping David to warm up, then when he went down injured I didn’t get the chance for a proper warm-up because it was only five minutes until kick-off.
“But a lot of my game is based upon how I feel mentally. If I feel good and relaxed in my head, it’s not a problem; I can play without a proper warm-up, as if I’d been out there preparing for half-an-hour.
The goalkeeper was a little disappointed that his saves didn't get United a win, but must be hoping United will seal up their qualification tonight.
“I would have liked my saves to have helped the team more, and for the team to have taken
something from the game ahead of the second leg here at home. Unfortunately the saves didn’t count for a lot as we didn’t manage to come away with that positive result.
He also admitted that his second half save against Paul Onuachu's header was one of his all time personal best.
“It was one of the best I’ve made in my life." He commented on the save.
“There’s another save, when I was playing for Sampdoria against Roma, which was a lot like this one. Maybe the one back then didn’t ask quite as much of me but it was very similar in that my movement was almost exactly the same.
“They were both very nice occasions and they are the moments that tell me personally that I’m totally prepared for whenever my manager needs to call on me.”
Per Mertesacker has fired a warning shot to Manchester United ahead of their match on Sunday.
Arsenal lost 2-0 to Barcelona at the Emirates stadium, almost crashing their hopes of progressing in the competition.
The defender has warned that his team are keen on returning to winning ways against United.
Arsenal trail table toppers Leicester by two points, and cannot afford to lose games.
United on their part are on a rescue mission. Six points behind rivals City, United stand only a slim chance of making the top four, and every game is a must win for Van Gaal and his men.
The German told Arsenal official website:
“We will go to Manchester United and we are in a good position. - We don’t want to give that up. We have a great chance to focus back on the Premier League and forget what happened in the last 20 minutes. (against Barcelona).
“Leicester City was a good game to make us believe we are still in it. You need to have little successes on the road.
We go step by step, nothing else. We have a great chance on Sunday to do that again and show that we can compete for the title.
“It helps we beat United last year in the cup. I think that was a great experience for us and it is still in our heads sometime when you think about big games and Old Trafford. It is going to be an interesting game so let’s not forget the positives from Barcelona and go there and give our best with the same effort.”
With the game a must win for both sides, it promises to be an intriguing encounter.
United must however first overcome FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday before facing the Gunners on Sunday.
The Manchester United gaffer held individual behind door discussion with all United players involved in the 2-1 defeat to FC Midtjylland, reports the Daily Mail.
The Dutchman interviewed all the players personally to sought reasons to why the team performed that badly on the night.
He spent close to twenty (20) minutes talking to each player. The meeting was reported to have started around 11: 30, and lasted into midday on Friday.
The team however responded with the emphatic 3-0 victory over Shrewsbury, and will be hoping for a similar scoreline against the Danish Champions.
Charlie Nicholas has voiced out his opinion and prediction for United's Europa League must win match with FC Midtjylland.
United surrendered a one Goal lead in Denmark to lose 2-1 and must now overturn the one goal deficit.
Charlie thinks United will edge out their opponent, by two goals. He wrote in his column for Skysports
"What we do know is they need wins and this is another must-win for LVG. Then there's Arsenal on Sunday where they can keep their top-four hopes alive.
"They've obviously got a lot of injuries and we're at a stage where they've just got to win this to keep their reputation in tact after the humiliation of last week.
"There's got to be a lot of anger in that United side and I'm expecting them to respond sufficiently to qualify.
Charlie predicts a 2-0 United victory and expects Anthony Martial to score first.
That's Charlie's predictions,
what's yours?
José Mourinho will reportedly get £4m as bonus if he can lead United to the league title when he becomes United manager. This according to the Mirror.
The former Chelsea manager is the leading man to take over from Van Gaal during the summer. The Portuguese has stated his desire to wait for a perfect job, and that will most likely come in the summer.
The mirror had earlier report the Mourinho will earn £15m per season if he joins United.
Manchester United have been told to forget about signing Brazilian star Neymar and rather go after Madrid star Gareth Bale.
United are in need of a big name signing to lift spirit at the club, and attract other big targets.
Despite once meeting the buyout clause in Neymar's contract, the Barcelona playmaker refused to move to Old Trafford.
Unconfirmed reports has it that the player is close to agreeing a new deal with the Spanish Champions, which would make it more difficult for United to sign him.
However a source close to both Barcelona and Real Madrid thinks Bale stands a better chance of making a switch to Old Trafford.
“United definitely need a player like Neymar. They haven’t really had a genuine superstar since Cristiano Ronaldo or David Beckham." The source told The Sun.
“There’s no doubt the interest from them is serious, and commercially they would make the money back on him if they met the clause. It all
comes down to whether the player(Neymar) wants that move.
“But United signing Bale is the more likely deal, and maybe it is time for him to move on from Madrid.
"Bale at Old Trafford seems a more natural fit."
Former Barcelona midfielder Deco thinks his countryman will change United for better.
The former Chelsea manager has been heavily linked with replacing Van Gaal as United coach. With the United board exercising patience with the Dutchman, a deal looks more likely at the end of the season.
Deco however thinks Mourinho will bring United back to the high level.
“I think he will change them a lot.
"United need to back be at a high level and Mourinho is the man to do that. He will bring their confidence again, for the players, for the fans, for the people." He told Squawka.
Mourinho is the fans and media favorite for the yet to be vacant post, but it all remains with the United board to make the final decision and selection.
Manchester United U-21 side are through to the semi finals of the Senior Cup courtesy a 1-0 victory over Blackpool.
The goal came late into the second half, through Scott McTominay.
Recently recalled goalkeeper Dean Henderson captained the reserve side.
United now face Oldham in the semi finals, and the winner of that tie willface Everton in the final.
