Europa League - City face Porto, United get Ajax

Manchester City will face holders Porto in the last 32 of the Europa League, while neighbours Manchester United take on Ajax.



While many expected the demotion to Europe's second tier would be a blow to the Manchester pair's prestige, both fixtures would not be out of place in the Champions League knockout phase.



Porto, who secured the trophy last year under the guidance of now Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, host City in the first leg before a return fixture at the Etihad Stadium, while United will play in the Amsterdam ArenA first.



Stoke City completed a trio of difficult assignments for English sides when they were drawn against Valencia.



In the draw for the last 16, United discovered they will face one of Lokomotiv Moscow or Athletico Bilbao if they get through. City will take on either Legia or Sporting if they see off Porto and a victory over Valencia would see Stoke play either Trabzonspor or PSV Eindhoven.



Stoke manager Tony Pulis said: "It's a great draw for us. Valencia are one of the top teams in Europe with great traditions in the European competitions.



"I was desperately hoping that we would get a draw against a big club where our supporters wouldn't have to travel too far because they have been looking forward to an opportunity such as this one where they can go to the away leg.



"They will be delighted. They can all have a great Christmas and then they've got eight weeks to save up for the trip to Spain. It would be fantastic if we could take a large army of fans over there and show them what this football club is all about."



EUROPA LEAGUE LAST 32 DRAW:



Porto v Manchester City



Ajax v Manchester United



Lokomotiv Moscow v Athletic Bilbao



Salzburg v Metalist Kharkiv



Stoke City v Valencia



Rubin Kazan v Olympiacos



AZ Alkmaar v Anderlecht



Lazio v Atletico Madrid



Steaua Bucharest v Twente



Viktoria Plzen v Schalke



Wisla Krakow v Standard Liege



Braga v Besiktas



Udinese v PAOK



Trabzonspor v PSV Eindhoven



Hannover v Brugge



Legia Warsaw v Sporting



* First legs to be played February 16, second legs February 23



EUROPA LEAGUE LAST 16 DRAW:



FC Salzburg/Metalist v Rubin Kazan/Olympiacos



Legia/Sporting v Porto/Manchester City



Steaua/Twente v Viktoria Plzen/Schalke



Wisla/Standard Liege v Hannover/Brugge



Stoke/Valencia v Trabzonspor/PSV Eindhoven



Alkmaar/Anderlecht v Udinese/PAOK



Lazio/Atletico Madrid v Braga/Besiktas



Ajax/Manchester United v Lokomotiv Moscow/Athletic Bilbao



* First legs to be played March 8, second legs March 15.