David de Gea has admitted Manchester United did not want to draw Barcelona in the Europa League play-off.
The Europa League play-off draw was carried out on Monday morning and United were drawn against Catalan giants Barcelona, who dropped into the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League group.
The first leg of the play-off between the two sides will take place on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona are the second favourites behind Arsenal to win the Europa League this season and they were considered the most difficult opponents to draw in the Round of 32, which De Gea was asked about following the confirmation of the fixture.
De Gea admitted United didn't want to draw Barcelona but said Erik ten Hag's side will be ready for the challenge in February.
“We know Barcelona is a great team, I think they are playing well,” De Gea told club media. “Of course, it was one of the teams that we probably didn’t want to play against but if you want to win the Europa League, you have to play against the best teams and Barcelona is [one of these]. It’s one for the fans and we will try our best to win both games.
“Yeah, I think so [it's a good test]. There’s still a lot of time [before we have] to play the Europa League games so we have to be focused on the rest of the games [before then]. Of course, playing against the best teams is always a challenge.
"So we need to be very ready to play against Barcelona and to play against any team that we have to play against.”
ChrisSteve88
0
u sound funny.look through the comments ànd tell me who is dancing. did xavi say anything
you are really underestimating man u
naecnoruyz
1
Liverpool thought this same way, Arsenal thought this same way too.Xavi should not dance before the music is played.
u sound funny.look through the comments ànd tell me who is dancing. did xavi say anything
AFer19185813
2
What an easy tie for us, it’s a walk in the park
Yes mr bench is ready for another 5.4 rating 🤣🤣🤣
Daydeptyz
0
haaaa ma1
Shauny300
0
Okay... [Crylaugh] Even Your Coach Said That United Is The Toughest Opponent To Draw Against. Anyway.., We Shall See What Happen In FEBRUARY Then. [byebye]
that’s a press conference he has to be professional lmao we all know Urinated is trash
MkonoJr
0
Christensen is here now so he should just be there! Maybe Roberto will look for another beach or be on bench.
Are you seeing Christensen right now, he is not a player you can depend on. He is not fast.
ChrisSteve88
1
Liverpool thought this same way, Arsenal thought this same way too.Xavi should not dance before the music is played.
Zomabdkr
1
Man u fans will cry again for the team, Frank Otis Fallah say so
neyadlnpsu
2
yeah there's much time, may be by then Ronaldo would have rediscovered his usual self and another celebration style 😆 🤣
Potterjrn
0
Araujo plays there when we are facing a fast winger. Apart from that Araujo is solid in defence. Him and Kounde are solid together.
Christensen is here now so he should just be there! Maybe Roberto will look for another beach or be on bench.
MkonoJr
0
Lmao remove roberto and put araujo there and put Christensen where araujo was!
Araujo plays there when we are facing a fast winger. Apart from that Araujo is solid in defence. Him and Kounde are solid together.
jezabdnpyz
0
we definitely wanted Unrinated because I know it’s a easy walk thru
Okay... [Crylaugh] Even Your Coach Said That United Is The Toughest Opponent To Draw Against. Anyway.., We Shall See What Happen In FEBRUARY Then. [byebye]
ManUnited-Red
0
like Villa & Brentford?? lmao
Nah like Real Madrid, inter and Bayern
Potterjrn
0
yeah Kounde or Araujo as a RB will be good, we need to buy skriniar for cheap as his contract is coming to an end in June.. to strengthen defence even when players are injured
Yeah we need trophies this season. 😁
jabdikpt
0
Lmao remove roberto and put araujo there and put Christensen where araujo was!
yeah Kounde or Araujo as a RB will be good, we need to buy skriniar for cheap as his contract is coming to an end in June.. to strengthen defence even when players are injured
Charles999
4
we don't have to conclude the both teams are doing well so we just have to wait till the full time it isn't match for the both
Shauny300
0
As Much As United Didn't Want To Draw Against Barcelona.., Barcelona Didn't Want To Get United As Well.
we definitely wanted Unrinated because I know it’s a easy walk thru
Shauny300
2
What an easy tie for us, it’s a walk in the park
like Villa & Brentford?? lmao
EzeOjini
2
De gea, is already speaking for all Man u fans in pretense. but the deal is cast already
Potterjrn
1
We can't help it bros(De Gea) we coming for that net 🥅
[image]
Lmao remove roberto and put araujo there and put Christensen where araujo was!
ManUnited-Red
6
What an easy tie for us, it’s a walk in the park
jezabdnpyz
4
As Much As United Didn't Want To Draw Against Barcelona.., Barcelona Didn't Want To Get United As Well.
MkonoJr
5
We can't help it bros(De Gea) we coming for that net 🥅