Manchester United were handed the opportunity to write a new chapter in their rich European history after they were drawn against Spanish side Sevilla in the Champions League.
Sevilla have enjoyed a fine reputation on the continent in recent years and won the Europa League in 2014, 2015 and 2016, with United of course ending that run with their own triumph in 2017. It will prove to be a difficult contest and will actually be the first time the clubs have faced each other at competitive level.
The clubs did play each other in Rio Ferdinand’s 2013 testimonial – Sevilla winning 3-1 at Old Trafford on that occasion, on David Moyes first taste as a United boss in M16 – but somewhat surprisingly, the teams have never met in a meaningful encounter. That will be fixed in February.
The Spanish side are currently in 5th place in La Liga.