CHRIS WHEELER: Male United’s Europa League perform-off from Barcelona is two matches Erik ten Hag could do without having in a packed program… but it will evoke recollections of some of the great evenings of European soccer
The Europa League attract threw up some attractive encounters for the future round European giants Barcelona and Manchester United will go head-to-head The two golf equipment have experienced some thrilling encounters when they’ve faced off before
The Europa League acquired a sprinkling of stardust on Monday when Manchester United had been drawn in opposition to Barcelona in the glamour tie of the enjoy-off spherical.
A single of the fantastic match-ups in European football is commonly played out on a far even bigger phase, but this time they will confront off for a area in the previous 16 in February.
United compensated the rate for failing to end first in their team in advance of True Sociedad as they have been handed arguably the hardest attract when the eight runners-up in the Europa League and 8 3rd-placed teams dropping out of the Champions League went into the pot in Nyon.
Erik ten Hag’s aspect will have to triumph over Barcelona to progress in the Europa League
Barcelona fell into the competitors immediately after ending third in their Champions League team
Erik ten Hag’s facet will return to Spain to face Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Thursday February 16 with the next leg at Previous Trafford a week later, two excess video games Ten Hag can do without in a packed routine.
The activity will evoke memories of some of the excellent nights of European soccer, not the very least Barcelona’s victories over United in the Champions League finals of 2009 and 2011 when Pep Guardiola obtained the far better of Sir Alex Ferguson.
‘We are two big teams and it’s heading to be a large tie,’ stated Barcelona manager Xavi, who starred in equally finals. ‘Our players will likely be additional motivated versus a sturdy staff.’
Barcelona went out of this level of competition to eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt very last period, and Xavi extra: ‘We have been provided the most difficult rival, but all over again. We are likely to Manchester towards a best rival and a historic side that has improved a good deal with the arrival of Ten Hag. It is a significant challenge for us.’
Xavi has described Barcelona currently being drawn towards Manchester United in Europe as ‘the worst’
If Cristiano Ronaldo stays at United beyond January, Xavi will be cautious of an aged foe who scored 20 ambitions in 34 online games in opposition to his club for Authentic Madrid.
‘He’s a amazing player. He can still make a change,’ said Xavi. ‘They are a sturdy side in defence and in assault. Not just Cristiano.’
United v Barcelona has thrown up some epic situations. Bryan Robson led a memorable fightback from the Catalans and Diego Maradona in the UEFA Cup-winners’ Cup quarter-finals in 1984 as United received 3-2 on mixture at Old Trafford. Ferguson lifted the exact trophy in 1991 just after Mark Hughes’s two goals in the ultimate in Rotterdam secured a 2-1 gain.
A United side depleted by the a few-foreigner rule experienced a humbling 4- defeat in Barcelona in 1994 as they failed to qualify from the Champions League team stage. And on the way to United lifting the European Cup in 1999, there have been two 3-3 attracts in the team stage right before they conquer Bayern Munich in the closing at the Nou Camp.
Bryan Robson celebrates United’s memorable comeback in opposition to Barcelona in 1991
When Ferguson won the Champions League again in 2008, Paul Scholes scored the only intention in the semi-last to knock out Barcelona in what was United’s very last win over their rivals.
‘I’d appreciate to enjoy against Barca, it gets the juices flowing,’ said Scholes previous 7 days. ‘I imagine United are capable of beating them.’
The most the latest assembly ended in a 4- mixture defeat for United in a 2019 Champions League quarter-final.
Paul Scholes’ goal was the variance when the two sides achieved at Outdated Trafford in 2008
