Tough European draws for United and Liverpool

European champions Manchester United and rivals Liverpool were handed mouth-watering ties against Inter Milan and Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 today.

The draw pits United against Jose Mourinho’s Italian giants Inter while Liverpool will take on nine-times winners Real, a club repeatedly linked with Reds boss Rafael Benitez.

Chelsea also face an intriguing reunion with former manager Claudio Ranieri after being paired with Juventus while Arsenal take on Roma.

Mourinho enjoyed success at Old Trafford during his time as Porto boss and then developed a strong rivalry with United boss Alex Ferguson after moving to Chelsea.

There had been a possibility that United could draw Spanish champions Real, with whom tensions are high due to their pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo, but Liverpool landed that poisoned chalice.

It will be Liverpool’s second visit to the Spanish capital this season after playing Atletico Madrid in the group stages.

Ranieri guided Chelsea to the semi-finals of the competition in 2004 but made way for Mourinho at Stamford Bridge later that year.

Manchester United's communications director Phil Townsend said the draw was a good one for the Old Trafford club and offered the chance to gain revenge on Mourinho, five years on from their loss against his Porto side at the same stage of the competition.

Chelsea secretary David Barnard was pleased with the draw as the Blues look to go one better than last year's runners-up finish.

Barnard told Sky Sports News: “Any team at this stage of the competition is obviously quality but it could have been a lot worse, maybe Barcelona.

“It obviously brings back Claudio Ranieri to the Bridge and I am sure Claudio will get a good reception from the Chelsea supporters.

“In Claudio’s last season we actually reached the semi-finals and the Champions League means a lot to him and Chelsea.”

Draw:

Chelsea v Juventus

Villarreal v Panathinaikos

Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich

Atletico Madrid v Porto

Lyon v Barcelona

Real Madrid v Liverpool

Arsenal v Roma

Inter Milan v Manchester United

Ties to be played on February 24 and 25 and March 10 and 11.