Manchester United will have to face Deportivo La Coruna again in the Champions League second phase after UEFA confirmed their seedings for tomorrow's draw. Arsenal are certain to face Roma, while Newcastle can prepare themselves for a trip to Milan after learning they will be paired with either AC or Inter, in addition to a top side from Spain.
With four teams from Spain and Italy advancing to the last 16, one club from each country must be placed in each second phase group. Manchester United are in the same pot as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia and therefore cannot be drawn against those teams. This means they must face Deportivo, runners-up to AC Milan in Group G.
The pair met four times in last year's competition, with Deportivo winning twice in the opening group phase, but Alex Ferguson’s team gained revenge by knocking out the Spaniards at the quarter-final stage.
Arsenal must face Roma because they have been placed in the same pot as AC Milan, Inter and Juventus, one of whom will definitely play Manchester United. The Gunners will also take on a Spanish group winner.
Newcastle have been placed in Pot Four. Because clubs from the same country cannot meet each other at this stage of the competition, both Arsenal and Manchester United must face one of Lokomotiv Moscow, Ajax and FC Basle. Newcastle cannot take on Group E rivals Juventus again and because the Italian side are in the same pot as Arsenal, it only leaves AC Milan and city rivals Inter as possible Italian opponents.
Seeding Pot One: Real Madrid (UEFA co-efficient 147.233), Manchester United (125.729), Barcelona (116.233), Valencia (106.233).
Pot Two: Juventus (91.334), Arsenal (90.729), Inter (88.334), AC Milan (69.334).
Pot Three: Deportivo (82.233), Bayer Leverkusen (81.495), AS Roma (77.334), Borussia Dortmund (73.495).
Pot Four: Lokomotiv Moscow (57.645), Ajax (48.082), Newcastle (43.729), FC Basle (14.312).
Filed by Greg McKevitt
