Barcelona will face the best Manchester United team for many years in the second leg of their Europa League knockout round tie at Old Trafford, the LaLiga leaders’ coach Xavi Hernandez said yesterday.
After fighting back to earn a 2-2 draw with the Premier League side in a pulsating game at the Camp Nou, Xavi believes his team will need to be at their best today to advance to the last 16. “It will be a very difficult game, Manchester United are one of the best teams in Europe today and they’re showing it every game,” Xavi told a news conference.
“(Manager Erik) Ten Hag is doing a great job. They are a team that show intensity, mentality, passion, rhythm... we will need to match them in every level, to show personality and be loyal to our style. Above all, we need the bring the mentality to compete in Europe. We can say that Manchester United have returned and they are playing their best football in many years. It is a good opportunity to show that Barca can also compete.”
United are unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions and are third in the Premier League standings on 49 points, five behind leaders Arsenal. They were the better side for large parts of the first leg and controlled the tempo but were denied by goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen who made several outstanding saves to keep the Spanish team in the tie.
Xavi will be without the injured Pedri and Ousmane Dembele while Gavi is suspended. “We came here with the desire and passion to compete,” Xavi said. “We are looking forward to show our best version on Thursday despite all the players we are missing. We all know it will be difficult but we have a team capable of advancing to the next round.”
While keeping his cards close to his chest, Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag insisted he has an “idea” that will help his team get the better of Barcelona. “What we do different you will see tomorrow on the pitch,” Ten Hag said. “We have an idea. We all want to play big games, big matches. When we were young, we dreamed of it. We are really enjoying it, we are really looking forward and enjoying it. We have to give our best. It is not about (us getting) credit, it is about trophies. The next focus is always on the next game. We have to keep in the same mindset that every day we want to give a better version of ourselves.”
Ten Hag also added that captain Harry Maguire and Brazilian forward Antony have returned to fitness and could feature against Barca, but French striker Anthony Martial is still out.