In the Champions League Round of 16, Manchester United will face Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid.
Manchester United's Champions League draw gaffe on Monday could turn out to be a blessing in disguise in their quest for a permanent manager. United was first drawn against Villarreal, which would have been an impossible fixture given their proximity in Group F, until being paired with PSG for the third time in four seasons.
The 'technical difficulties' that led to the error, however, resulted in a re-draw later that day, and United was given an equally challenging tie against Atletico Madrid.
On February 13, Ralf Rangnick's team will travel to Madrid before hosting the La Liga champions to Old Trafford on March 15.
It will be United's third meeting with Atletico Madrid, with the two European heavyweights last meeting in the 1992 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
Diego Simeone has never won a match against Manchester United, but his arrival at Old Trafford in March could be welcome news to the Glazers.
In the Champions League Round of 16, Manchester United will face Atletico Madrid. (Image)
Although Mauricio Pochettino or Erik ten Hag are the frontrunners to succeed Rangnick next summer, it's no secret that Simeone has long been admired by United's top brass.
During Simeone's 10-year tenure at Atletico, the club attempted to appoint him twice but both times failed.
Before appointing David Moyes as Sir Alex Ferguson's replacement in 2013, they first sounded out the dynamic Argentine.
United were back on the market for a manager a year later, and Simeone, like Jurgen Klopp, turned down an offer before Louis van Gaal arrived.
Throughout his career, he has expressed little desire to work in England, but United now has the perfect opportunity to comprehend his viewpoint.
Simeone may be looking for a new challenge after a decade in Spain, especially given Atleti's dismal start to the season.
Los Rojiblancos are currently 13 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid and have only seven points in Group B of the Champions League knockout stages.
Many fans will rightly be skeptical of his suitability for the role, considering that his style is primarily designed to irritate opponents, particularly those who are well-known.
Diego Simeone has been a target for Manchester United on two occasions.
Diego Simeone has been a target for Manchester United on two occasions. (Image)
The Champions League Round of 16 draw has piqued interest, with United's match against Atletico Madrid and Real's match against PSG standing out.
Owen Hargreaves, a Champions League winner with Manchester United, is stumped as to who will advance from Simeone and Rangnick's teams.
"They [Atletico Madrid] have several world-class players; Joao Felix, Luis Suarez," he told BT Sport. Jan Oblak is regarded as one of the world's top goalkeepers.
"For United, it's significantly simpler [than PSG], but it's a coin toss as to who will advance." Between Rangnick and Simeone, there's a major stylistic clash."
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