My quick thoughts on who I would prefer to face out of the selection tomorrow for the Champions League Draw round of last 16: -
Real Madrid: - Despite their lacklustre domestic campaign I do not want to draw these as I think they are the toughest out of the possibilities.
Shakhtar Donetsk - This is an opponent I think could really make us struggle, when I think of this I go back to Bilbao last year in Europa League. High tempo/high pressure and ideally I would like us to avoid these for this round.
FC Porto - Yet again dangerous opposition, they would relish playing United and are unbeaten domestically. Some very good players in their team such as Joao Moutinho, James Rodriguez, Jackson Martinez etc. can really influence a game. Not who I would want for this round.
AC Milan - Reshaped, lost many good players and seem to be adopting a system that takes more advantage of the wings. Stuttered in the campaign at the start but seem to be picking up form now but I think this would be a good time to face Milan. My third preferred choice of opponent.
Celtic - On paper you would definitely pick Celtic to draw in the last 16, however due to how well they have done in Champions League this season and how much they would relish playing us, I really think it could be a sticky fixture. Neil Lennon has really done a good job this season in the Champions League demonstrated against Barcelona, a result no one would expect. However you can't deny getting Celtic would still be a pretty nice draw for us in the last 16.
Valencia - Domestically really struggling, they do not seem to have a settled starting eleven and I still think departing with Unai Emery was a mistake, I rated him very highly and did not understand the dismissal personally. However they do have some good players and could prove tricky, however I really think this is the opponent I would love to have in the last 16. If we play anywhere near our best over 2 legs we have the beating of Valencia. My preferred option and hope we draw these.
Just my thoughts on who I would like in preference from top to bottom. So Valencia is the team I would like to have in the last 16. Although whether it turns out that way we shall see!