Manchester United will take on Russian side Rostov in the Europa League last-16 after breezing past St Etienne in the last round.

United advanced to the last-16 stage with a comfortable 4-0 aggregate victory against St Etienne in the first knockout round, having come through their group as runners-up.

Now the Red Devils’ quest to win the only European trophy they’ve never landed will see take on the Russian Premier League side, who saw off Sparta Prague in the round of 32.

The two legs will take place on March 9 and March 16. Jose Mourinho’s team face a brutal trip to Russia in the first-leg only days before they play Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-final. Of course this is the sort of tournament that can spring up all sorts of surprises but Manchester United are very much the team to beat now. Roma, despite losing at home last night, look impressive, and Schalke and Gladbach will be dangerous but there is no fish bigger than the United shark.

In Mourinho they have a man who has won the Champions League twice and it seems as if he has finally found the right balance for his team. They have lost just twice in all competitions since the beginning of November and they seem to be dealing with everything that has been thrown their way.

Qualification for the Champions League next season is no longer secure thanks to the competitive nature of the Premier League but the Europa League offers that tangible reward. Mourinho has often derided this competition but right now it offers a golden opportunity.

more to follow…