UEFA's balls of fate have been plucked from their perspex fishbowls of destiny and the Champions League round of 16 draw has coughed up a bevy of enticing heavyweight encounters. Three of the four Premier League contenders have been pitted against Bundesliga opponents, while Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid have been handed gruelling ties against Atletico Madrid, Lyon and Ajax, respectively. Finally, after years of tough last 16 draws, PSG get an easy one 😜 #UCL https://t.co/OZyz9nGlFJ — Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) 17 December 2018 Be under no illusion, this is incredibly serious business indeed. Might have to cancel my skiing trip.... #Last16 — Raphael Honigstein (@honigstein) 17 December 2018 All eyes were on Manchester United, who, despite their ongoing domestic travails, successfully qualified from a difficult group and made it through into the knockout phase -- only to find themselves paired with Paris Saint-Germain, the first-ever competitive game between the two sides. The prospect of watching PSG's ultra-mobile front three of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani run riot against United's struggling back four was enough to titillate fans. Neymar, Mbappe and Cavani against that Man Utd defence...... — Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) 17 December 2018 To add to United's woes (what a merciless game football is), the PSG tie lands right in the middle of a hectic run of fixtures for Jose Mourinho's side. Tuesday 12th Feb - PSG (H) Saturday 23rd Feb - Liverpool (H) Tuesday 5th March - PSG (A) Saturday 9th March - Arsenal (A) Saturday 16th March - Man City (H)#mufc pic.twitter.com/1YWvKlMMr9 — United Xtra (@utdxtra) 17 December 2018 Even the French media were pleased with the draw, with Le Parisien giving its immediate verdict: "PSG will go to England at the start of the knockout rounds in February of 2019 with a draw that seems doable for Thomas Tuchel's men." Manchester City will also be taking on Schalke for the first time in the Champions League, with the last meeting between the two sides coming in the 2008-09 UEFA Cup (remember that?) group stage. City get Schalke. That's the best possible draw for #MCFC imo but I'm ready for Guardiola to tell us tomorrow why Schalke are the best team in the world — Simon Bajkowski (@spbajko) 17 December 2018 The theme of uncharted territory continues with Liverpool, who are set to play Bayern Munich in the Champions League for the first time ever and for the first time in any competition since the 2001 European Super Cup. That said, Reds fans daunted by the prospect will no doubt be heartened to learn that their side have lost only one of their previous 16 games against German sides in European competition -- and that came way back in April 2002. 1 - @FCBayernEN and @LFC will clash in the Champions League for the first time, and Bayern have won each of their last three games against English teams (all against Arsenal) by the score of 5-1. Premiere. #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/ryjhZHpoWD — OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) 17 December 2018 Tottenham have met Borussia Dortmund on four previous occasions in European competition, winning two and losing two. However, Spurs have won both of their Champions League encounters with Dortmund, scoring five goals over the course. The omens, for what they're worth, are good. And who knows, maybe -- just maybe -- by that point they might just have a brand-new stadium to christen in style. Maybe.<doc-sep>Man Utd news: Edinson Cavani has been impressed with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer HERE for the latest MUFC breaking news and transfer updates SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign upfor the latest MUFC breaking news and transfer updates When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. The French champions meet the Red Devils in the Champions League next month. And Cavani has been impressed with the ‘change of energy’ Solskjaer has brought to the club since replacing Jose Mourinho. The Norwegian has led his side to six straight wins, the most recent a 1-0 victory over Tottenham at Wembley. “Manchester, we have to think of ourselves and not the other teams," Cavani said. “We have to think about what we have to do as a team, know our qualities and our faults to get to the next match ready, in the best and most fit way. “We know that Manchester United has gone through a rather negative period, the coaching change has brought a change of energy too, different. “They have started to have positive results. “It creates more motivation and that's normal. Pochettino would only move to Man Utd for the name says pundit Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has won his first six matches “But we will study them more specifically at the time of the match, not before.” Cavani has also opened up on his partnership with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe for PSG. “It's all about time, work, availability wth any football player, one or more, and I think everyone reacts differently in the group,” he explained. “The energy is different and I think that, with time, this connection has developed.” Man Utd take on Neymar's PSG side in the Champions League next month<doc-sep>The Premier League and Ligue 1 giants face each other in the knockout stages of the Champions League Neymar believes his Paris Saint-Germain team-mates will face a different Manchester United now Jose Mourinho is no longer in charge. United and PSG face each other in the last 16 of the Champions League with the first leg at Old Trafford on February 20. 3 Neymar will face Manchester United with PSG in the Champions League The Red Devils will be under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following his appointment to the caretaker role on Wednesday. The tie will also be the first competitive meeting between the two clubs. 3 Jose Mourinho was sacked by Manchester United Neymar said: “We know the quality that Manchester United have and we know that their players have a winning mentality. “The coach has changed and it will be a different playing style – they’re in the process of changing things up – but we know the quality they have. “They will be two great matches between two great sides. “It is always a pleasure to play in them and I am very happy to be taking on Manchester United.” Most Read in Football NEWS Woeful De Gea stat, Solskjaer 'not at Man United's level', Rashford abused after final INQUIRY Questions will be asked of Solskjaer after 'master' Emery nullified Man United DRAMA Man United stunned by Villarreal as Solskjaer's search for silverware goes on shocker De Gea's commitment doubted as he concedes 36th straight pen and misses in EL final NEW BLOOD Zidane 'decides to leave' Madrid with immediate effect as Khabib calls for Conte KON MAN Liverpool stars given warning about Konate as RB Leipzig defender ‘passes medical’ gone Conte leaves Inter: Spurs would be 'match made in hell' due to 'trail of carnage' Unsettled Willian would ‘love’ Chelsea return as Arsenal eye £40million replacement force Van Dijk partnered with Konate and midfielder joins - Liverpool XI to challenge City PLAN Bale’s agent responds to claims Welshman could 'quit football to become pro golfer' United’s defence have the terrifying prospect of facing PSG’s attack of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani. The Brazilian thinks the French side, who are 10 points clear at the top of Ligue 1, are improving all the time. “We’re very happy that our link-up play is getting better and better in each match; we’re getting to know each other better as time goes by,” he added. 3 Paris Saint-Germain stars Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. “And that’s our objective: that everyone be happy to provide assists for the others to score, so that everyone ends the match happy – even though the most important thing is, of course, to win the match.”<doc-sep>
Champions League: Man Utd draw PSG in round of sixteen Manchester United have been a completely different team under the Norwegian, winning all six of their games since Jose Mourinho’s departure in December. PSG were drawn against United in the last 16 of the Champions League with the tie due to be played in the middle of February. And World Cup winner Mbappe, had his say on his side’s upcoming opponents. "I think Manchester United is always a top side," Mbappé told sport24 in Dubai. "It's not easy to play any team in the Champions League, we are going to do our best." PSG were knocked out of the Champions League last season by Real Madrid at the last 16 stage. The Parisian side have been under pressure in recent years to deliver European glory, given their superior financial status. United were also knocked out at the last 16 stage last year, in a dismal tie to Sevilla. Cavani and Mbappe had their say on Solskjaer's fortunes at United Solskjaer has won all of his games in charge of United From then on, things only went downhill for Mourinho, and he was sacked before the turn of the year. The Red Devils have since won five Premier League games on the bounce, including an impressive victory at Wembley against Tottenham on Sunday. Uruguayan Cavani also spoke of the positive turn-around at Old Trafford, citing their change of manager as the biggest reason. "I think after the departure of Jose Mourinho Manchester United has a new energy," Cavani also told sport24. Man United: Solskjaer should get job PERMANENTLY says pundit Cavani and co couldn't handle Real Madrid last season "They have started to win matches and have more continuity. "We have to think about what we have to do as a team, know our qualities and our faults to get to the next match ready, in the best and most fit way.” A lot has been made of United’s tough schedule in the coming weeks. They’ll face Arsenal in the FA Cup towards the end of the month before their Champions League exploits with the Ligue 1 champions. "We know that Manchester United has gone through a rather negative period, the coaching change has brought a change of energy too, different. They have started to have positive results,” Cavani told Goal. "It creates more motivation and that's normal. But we will study them more specifically at the time of the match, not before."