Manchester United face Danish champions in Europa League

Manchester United will play Midtjylland, the Danish champions, in the last 32 following the draw in Nyon, Switzerland yesterday with Liverpool facing Augsburg and Tottenham Hotspur taking on Fiorentina.

United travel to the MCH Arena in Herning for the first leg on February 18th, with Jess Thorup’s team at Old Trafford a week later.

Midtjylland were formed only in 1999 and last year’s title triumph was their first.

Deserved

Thorup said: “Miracles have happened before, and we will probably need one again. However, we do not just lie down. We deserved to qualify for the round of 32, and we aim to prove that to our opponents.”

Mikkel Andersen, Midtjylland's goalkeeper, said: "This is as big as it gets. Of course, we have a chance against Manchester United. We can play without any pressure." Midtjylland are third in the league, four points behind Copenhagen.

Liverpool's draw with Augsburg – they play the opening leg away – means Jürgen Klopp will return to his homeland. Markus Weinzierl, the Augsburg coach since 2012, said: "This game is something special. Liverpool are cult, Jurgen Klopp is a huge name in Germany too. Klopp knows us and will not underestimate us."

History

Paul Verhaegh, the Augsburg defender, said: "We have already proven against Dortmund in the Bundesliga that we are capable of causing an upset. We now want to repeat that against Liverpool.

“Anfield – that’s football history. We were wishing for something like this and of course that’s great.”

Augsburg are 13th in the Bundesliga, only two points above the relegation zone.

Tottenham have the toughest draw of the three English clubs, having to play Fiorentina, who are second in Serie A and who knocked them out of the Europa League last season. Mauricio Pochettino's team have the advantage of being at home in the second leg. Guardian Service