The two English sides finished inside the top eight of the Europa League league phase and avoided playing two extra play-off fixtures.
Prior to the draw it was known that the two sides - who finished third and fourth in the league phase - would face one of AZ or Real in the first knockout round.
With both sides way off the pace in the Premier League they know their best chance of playing in Europe next season could be to win the Europa League this season.
MANCHESTER UNITED and Tottenham have learned their fate in the Europa League knockout phase draw.
Man Utd - who have a horrible record when playing in Spain - have enjoyed rare success in Spain mostly against Real, having yet to be beaten by the Spanish side away from home in three attempts.