Tottenham and Manchester United both sailed through in the Europa League to book their place in the knockout stage. In the new league phase format, the top eight teams have progressed straight through to the last-16 and avoided a two-legged knockout tie in the process. Spurs and Man Utd were effectively guaranteed a play-off spot heading into their final games of the league phase, but beat Elfsborg and FCSB respectively to get the job done. Both sides’ progression straight through to the last 16 has been a welcome boost. The gap in the calendar has allowed for Ange Postecoglou to rest and recover some key players following an injury-hit season. Whilst Ruben Amorim has been able to fit in some extra training sessions to get the Man United playerS more accustomed with his system. Though the teams that finished between ninth and 24th in the league phase have been in action this week in the Europa League knockout phase playoffs. Due to placing between 17th to 24th in the league phase, Ferencvaros, Porto, AZ Alkmaar, Midtjylland, Union Saint-Gilloise, PAOK, Twente and Fenerbahce were all at home for the first-legs on Thursday. Midtjylland 1-2 Real Sociedad Fenerbahce 3-0 Anderlecht Ferencvaros 1-0 Viktoria Plzen Union Saint-Gilloise 0-2 Ajax AZ Alkmaar 4-1 Galatasaray Porto 1-1 Roma Twente 2-1 Bodo/Glimt PAOK 1-2 FCSB The top eight from the league phase of the competition will face the eight winners of the knockout play-off ties in the last 16. The draw for the last 16 will take place on Friday February 21, 2025. On paper at least, the higher you finish in the league phase, the easier your last-16 tie should be. The teams finishing first or second will be handed a last-16 clash against the winners of the play-off tie between the 15th/16th and 17th/18th seeds. Because of the newly introduced pairing system, Man Utd and Tottenham already know their four potential opponents in the last-16 draw. In fact, as a result of finishing third and fourth respectively in the league phase, their potential opponents are the same. They will face either the winners of the knockout phase play-off between between the 13th and 14th seeds, or the 19th and 20th seeds; Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, AZ Alkmaar or Midtjylland. Athletic Club Manchester United The first legs will be played on either March 6 with the return fixtures a week later.