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Manchester United will play Russian side FC Rostov in the last 16 of the Europa League.

Jose Mourinho’s side, who saw off St Etienne in the previous round, will travel to Russia for the first leg on Wednesday, March 8. The second leg will take place the following week on March 15.

Mourinho should be relieved to be at Old Trafford for the second leg as United are due to play at Chelsea in their FA Cup quarter-final just 48 hours earlier, on Monday.

A long trip to Rostov, which is approximately 1,000km south of Moscow, the day after the domestic cup tie would have tested their resolve.

Mourinho has already criticised the scheduling of the Chelsea game on the Monday for TV purposes.

Rostov, who beat Sparta Prague in the last 32, finished second in the Russian Premier League last season.

Elsewhere in the draw, Tottenham’s conquerors Gent were drawn against Genk in an all-Belgian tie.

There was also an all-German match-up as Schalke were paired with Borussia Monchengladbach.

Roma, one of the competition favourites, will face Lyon while Celta Vigo were drawn against Krasnodar.