The Europa League got a sprinkling of stardust yesterday when Manchester United were drawn against Barcelona in the glamour tie of the play-off round.
One of the great match-ups in European football is usually played out on a far bigger stage, but this time they will face off for a place in the last 16 in February.
United paid the price for failing to finish first in their group ahead of Real Sociedad as they were handed arguably the toughest draw when the eight runners-up in the Europa League and eight third-placed teams dropping out of the Champions League went into the pot in Nyon.
Erik ten Hag’s side will return to Spain to face Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Thursday February 16 with the second leg at Old Trafford a week later, two extra games Ten Hag can do without in a packed schedule.
The game will evoke memories of some of the great nights of European football, not least Barcelona’s victories over United in the Champions League finals of 2009 and 2011 when Pep Guardiola got the better of Sir Alex Ferguson.
‘We are two big teams and it’s going to be a massive tie,’ said Barcelona boss Xavi, who starred in both finals. ‘Our players will probably be more motivated against a strong team.’
Barcelona went out of this competition to eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt last season, and Xavi added: ‘We have been given the most difficult rival, yet again. We are going to Manchester against a top rival and a historic side that has improved a lot with the arrival of Ten Hag. It’s a massive challenge for us.’
If Cristiano Ronaldo stays at United beyond January, Xavi will be wary of an old foe who scored 20 goals in 34 games against his club for Real Madrid.
‘He’s a fantastic player. He can still make a difference,’ said Xavi. ‘They are a strong side in defence and in attack. Not just Cristiano.’
United v Barcelona has thrown up some epic occasions. Bryan Robson led a memorable fightback against the Catalans and Diego Maradona in the UEFA Cup-winners’ Cup quarter-finals in 1984 as United won 3-2 on aggregate at Old Trafford. Ferguson lifted the same trophy in 1991 after Mark Hughes’s two goals in the final in Rotterdam secured a 2-1 win.
A United side depleted by the three-foreigner rule suffered a humbling 4-0 defeat in Barcelona in 1994 as they failed to qualify from the Champions League group stage. And on the way to United lifting the European Cup in 1999, there were two 3-3 draws in the group stage before they beat Bayern Munich in the final at the Nou Camp.
When Ferguson won the Champions League again in 2008, Paul Scholes scored the only goal in the semi-final to knock out Barcelona in what was United’s last win over their rivals.
‘I’d love to play against Barca, it gets the juices flowing,’ said Scholes last week. ‘I think United are capable of beating them.’
The most recent meeting ended in a 4-0 aggregate defeat for United in a 2019 Champions League quarter-final.
Yuzbdlnpu
0
You are absolutely correct CR7 playing for himself and stats.
@nitrogen11 he doesn’t even have stats to play for this season 🤣
ManUnited-Red
1
We are better then barca
Miockmnt
0
playing the final first then second final in June 🤣
denadintuz
0
Here are the points managers of big clubs will take into consideration befor signing Ronaldo in January 1. He is 38 years old (in February 5th) 2. So he is not a long time solution. Hardly 1/2 years solution maximum 3. Managers can't build a team around him anymore 4. But still he wants to play as main man in the team 5. Huge salary (almost 400k/week) for a 38 years old player 6. Wants to play 90 mins at age of 38 7. He is a very selfish player 8. He plays for his personal stats 9. He doesn't play for the team 10. He allways demands to pass him all the balls in dbox - ceates huge problem in the team strategies and plans 11. For that reason number of goals from other players decreases dramatically 12. If team wins with his goal all credit goes to him 13. For that reason some players feel like they are playing for him rather than team 14. Which leads the team to harmony problem which destroys the team spirit 15. His big ego, arrogance & "i am the best player in the world" is very toxic for the dressing room 16. His lack of pressing ability leaves holes in the midfield 17. The way he (as a leader) left juvu & now manu is not a good example for rest of the players 18. He attitude is not a good example for young players in the team 19. Because of ego and arrogance managers can't handle him properly 20. His history of getting into fight with managers and players 21. Because of those fights dressing room gets divided into groups 22. His presence in the team increases pressure on managers dramatically to win trophies (very important point) 23. The number of managers sacked in Jevu and ManU 24 Managers are scared of his presence in the team, dressing room & their careers nobody doubts his ability rather he will be rejected just because of his mentally and attitude... now argue with your keyboard. Source: trust me bruh
You are absolutely correct CR7 playing for himself and stats.
tiedkoz
1
It’s gonna fun , I can’t wait to watch it
Nitrogen11
1
Here are the points managers of big clubs will take into consideration befor signing Ronaldo in January 1. He is 38 years old (in February 5th) 2. So he is not a long time solution. Hardly 1/2 years solution maximum 3. Managers can't build a team around him anymore 4. But still he wants to play as main man in the team 5. Huge salary (almost 400k/week) for a 38 years old player 6. Wants to play 90 mins at age of 38 7. He is a very selfish player 8. He plays for his personal stats 9. He doesn't play for the team 10. He allways demands to pass him all the balls in dbox - ceates huge problem in the team strategies and plans 11. For that reason number of goals from other players decreases dramatically 12. If team wins with his goal all credit goes to him 13. For that reason some players feel like they are playing for him rather than team 14. Which leads the team to harmony problem which destroys the team spirit 15. His big ego, arrogance & "i am the best player in the world" is very toxic for the dressing room 16. His lack of pressing ability leaves holes in the midfield 17. The way he (as a leader) left juvu & now manu is not a good example for rest of the players 18. He attitude is not a good example for young players in the team 19. Because of ego and arrogance managers can't handle him properly 20. His history of getting into fight with managers and players 21. Because of those fights dressing room gets divided into groups 22. His presence in the team increases pressure on managers dramatically to win trophies (very important point) 23. The number of managers sacked in Jevu and ManU 24 Managers are scared of his presence in the team, dressing room & their careers nobody doubts his ability rather he will be rejected just because of his mentally and attitude... now argue with your keyboard. Source: trust me bruh