The BBC have reported that Manchester United could be offered a stunning return to the Champions League this season if the Swiss FA fail to punish FC Sion for signing players while under a transfer embargo.
Switzerland and their club sides could be barred from European competition which would mean Basle, who qualified for the knockout phase ahead of United with a 2-1 win at home, would be ejected from the Champions League competition.
The Swiss FA have until January 13 to ban the six FC Sion players that were signed while under embargo otherwise FIFA will act and United will be reinstated in the Champions League at the expense of Basle.
As it stands, United have a tie against Ajax in the Europa League while City face the Europa League holders Porto in the Round of 32.
Due to a fixture clash both United and City would have to play their second leg ties at home in the same week and UEFA rules say that both ties could not take place on the same night or end during a time during which Champions League fixtures are taking place.
This has meant that Manchester City, who have a lower UEFA co-efficient than United, have been forced to schedule the second leg of their tie with Porto at home on Wednesday 22nd of February with a 5pm kick off so that the game would be over before the Champions League fixtures taking place on that night start.
The Round of 16 draw also took place on Friday and should Manchester United get past Ajax they would face the winners of Lokomotiv Moscow v Athletico Bilbao.
City would look forward to a tie between either Legia Warsaw or Sporting Lisbon if they got past Porto.