Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Porto, Sevilla and a host of continental

big guns as well as English clubs Manchester United, Tottenham and

Liverpool swing into Europa League action in the last-32 knock out phase

on Thursday.

In fact one clash has already begun on Tuesday as Turkey’s Fenerbahce

took a 2-0 advantage over rusty Lokomotiv Moscow, who were playing

their first match since the Russian winter break began.

Manchester United dream of redeeming their dull season by triumph in

the Europa League, and in fact their coach Luis van Gaal won the old

UEFA Cup with Ajax.

He takes United to little known Danish club Midtjylland, who are

seeking a second English scalp after knocking out Southampton earlier in

the season. 

Formed just 16 years ago the Central Jutland club’s main threat could

be Pione Sisto, a flashy winger born in Uganda but now a Danish

under-21 international.

United made the trip Wednesday without their talismanic captain Wayne Rooney.

“Wayne Rooney is a notable absentee from the flight and the manager

is expected to confirm why during his pre-match press conference,” the

United website said.

Meanwhile local fans have prepared a banner with the phrase: ‘Welcome

to Scamdinavia’ on it to welcome the 800 strong United fans who are in

uproar having paid £71 ($101, 91 euros) for their tickets.

Jurgen Klopp returns to Germany for the first time as Liverpool

travel to Ausburg buoyed by a 6-0 drubbing of Villa, where Daniel

Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi all progressed after

injury comebacks.

The Liverpool boss was trying to play down the event saying :”During

the draw, I wasn’t thinking ‘please let it be a German club’. while the

relegation threatened opponents were on fever pitch.

“This is an absolute dream game for all of us at Augsburg,” said the

club’s director of sport Stefan Reuter, while coach Markus Weinzierl

described it as a “highlight in the club’s history”.

In-form Argentinian striker Mauro Zarate lies in wait as English

title chasing Tottenham swing into Florence to face Fiorentina hoping

their own Argentine Erik Lamela can add to his five European goals form

the qualifying round. Three of those came in the first half of their

last European outing, a 4-1 win over Monaco.

Games of interest elsewhere includes Dortmund hosting Porto, Italian

title contenders Napoli travelling to Villarreal and Sporting Lisbon

hosting Bayer Leverkusen.