Europa League Draw: English Clubs Draw Tough Opponents

With the Europa League draw being obviously overshadowed by the Champions League draw (both being released on the same day Friday), not many people have taken a look at the draws handed to Europe's top clubs playing the second-tier competition.

Both Manchester City and Manchester United were knocked out of the Champions League last week and instead getting an easy draw for the Round of 32 in the Europa League, both clubs were handed the two most difficult matchups.

But, there is also a third club from England in the final 32 of the Europa League, and that is Stoke City, who got into the competition through their second-place finish in the FA Cup after losing to Manchester City, who had already secured a European berth.

The Potters started play in the competition in the third qualifying round in August and they advanced from Group E with Besiktas.

Manchester City drew Porto, who won the Europa League last season under the direction of current Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas. The Portuguese club also experienced disappointment in the Champions League group stage but are very familiar to the Europa League.

Even after losing Radamel Falcao over the summer to Athletico Madrid, Porto are tough side to face with talents like Hulk, Joao Moutinho, Helton and Alvaro Pereira roaming the pitch at the Estadio do Dragao.

City are still involved in three other competitions this season with a place in the Carling Cup semifinals, a FA Cup run that could start by beating Manchester United in early January, and of course the Premier League. With good depth in their squad, City could possibly win four trophies, although it is a tough task to endure.

Manchester United are drawn against Ajax, another historic club who have not faced United since 1976. Both clubs were knocked out of the Champions League last week are also fighting for their league title domestically with United second to City in the Premier League and Ajax eight points behind Eredivisie leaders AZ Alkmaar.

Ajax pose a difficult matchup for United as the Amsterdam club boasts a ton of young stars and veterans that are potential transfer targets for big clubs this summer. The experience in side comes from the defense with Gregory van der Wiel, Jan Verthongen and Andre Oojier patrolling the back line.

Up front, two young stars of the game will pose a challenge to United's depleted back four as 23-year-old Miralem Sulejmani and 19-year-old Danish international Christian Eriksen will look to run wild.

Manchester United will have to boost their squad in January to keep a good amount of depth for the Premier League title race, the FA Cup and the Europa League coming up. Darren Fletcher's leave for illness and Nemanja Vidic being ruled out for the season were the latest blows to United's injury woes this week.

The third and less publicized club from England involved in the Europa League is Stoke City who drew Spanish club Valencia in the round of 32.

Stoke have already had a crowded schedule with the Europa League, Premier League and Carling Cup filling up their fixture list to the maximum. Now, going into the new year the Potters should have their schedule be a bit less hectic but they have another competition, the FA Cup to focus on as well.

Their opponents, former employers of City's David Silva and Barcelona's David Villa, have regained their strength up front after the two Spanish internationals left the club with Roberto Saldado and Aritz Aduriz up front.

Los Che currently sit third in the La Liga table and will look to earn a Champions League berth, just like they did this year but were knocked out in the group stage.

Regardless of what approach each of the three English clubs takes on the Europa League knockout rounds with, whether it be the second team or the full first team, they will face challenges when the next step foot into the Thursday nights of the Europa League.