Manchester United have been drawn against Real Betis in the Europa League round of 16.
The winners of the tie will qualify for the quarter-finals, where United could face Arsenal.
United went into the draw unseeded, meaning that they will play the first leg of the tie at home.
Here is a look at two positives and one negative from the draw…
Positive: Erik ten Hag will already be familiar with them
United played Betis away from home during the World Cup break, as Erik ten Hag got his side’s fitness and sharpness back.
We went down 1-0, although the side which played that night is likely to be very different to the one the Dutchman fields here.
That means that a lot of the background work may already be done and United will have an idea of their strengths and weaknesses already.
They will of course be familiar with us, and may have some confidence from that 1-0 win, but this is not a step into the unknown like some Europa League ties will be.
Positive: Avoided an arduous away trip
By Europa League standards, the potential away trips United could have been handed were not awful, but there was still the prospect of going to Turkey or Hungary.
A midweek trip to Spain is not as taxing as the draw might have thrown up, and United have already managed that workload against Barcelona and Real Sociedad this season.
The run of fixtures has been relentless for United of late, and shows no sign of slowing down, so a fairly kind journey is a boost, albeit a minor one in the grand scheme of things.
Negative: United have a bad recent European record against Spanish teams
United have to take this tie seriously and professionally, but they are definitely favourites to go through.
That said, Spanish sides have knocked United out of Europe in each of the last five seasons, and not necessarily always the country’s leading lights.
Last night’s win over La Liga leaders Barcelona means that United should not fear anyone but this is another opportunity for the hoodoo to strike.
Manchester United v Real Betis: Europa League round of 16 dates
The first leg of the tie will be played on Thursday 9 March at Old Trafford, with the return leg on Thursday 16 March in Betis.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
