Football: Clash of Barcelona and Manchester United underlines soaring revivals

BARCELONA – Barcelona host Manchester United on Thursday in a match-up which has twice graced the Champions League final but this week has the relative ignominy of taking place in the Europa League play-off round.

The Catalan side crashed out of Europe’s premier club competition at the first hurdle, while United finished runners-up in their Europa League group, causing their paths to cross.

Despite the tie’s diminished stature, both fallen giants are on the rise and among the teams in the best form across the continent.

The two teams are both building under exciting coaches in Erik ten Hag and Xavi Hernandez and aiming to return to Europe’s elite imminently.

“I think Barcelona and us as well would have preferred to play this match in the final,” United boss ten Hag said on uefa.com, ahead of the first leg at the Nou Camp.

“We are looking forward to it... it will be a great game.

“Hopefully, everyone is fit for Barcelona and for us. So, we see a game that will be played at the highest level.

“As a player, I admire Barcelona‘s manager, Xavi. Barcelona, the way they played with him, he was such an important part of the team.

“You can see the philosophy he now brings to his Barcelona.

“I really like the attacking way of play. It’s going to be a good challenge.”

United, who signed defensive midfield lynchpin Casemiro from Real Madrid – Barcelona’s rivals – in the summer, have rapidly improved under ten Hag.

The Dutchman started work at Old Trafford last summer and after a rocky start, including a 4-0 thrashing by Brentford and a fractious relationship with club legend Cristiano Ronaldo, has turned things around.

The Red Devils have been beaten only once in their last 17 matches – a 3-2 defeat by Arsenal.

Ten Hag has helped forward Marcus Rashford find his best form, with 13 goals in his last 15 games, and the team have climbed to third in the Premier League.

He also guided United to the League Cup final and FA Cup fifth round, maximising their chances of lifting silverware for the first time since winning the Europa League in 2017.

Ten Hag will, however, be hit by the suspensions of Lisandro Martinez and loanee Marcel Sabitzer, while Donny van de Beek, Christian Eriksen, Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay and Antony are all injured.

Casemiro is available for selection after being suspended for the last two Premier League games.

The two teams last met in 2019 in the Champions League, with the Spanish giants winning the quarter-final tie 4-0 on aggregate.

Barcelona have gone through a profound squad renewal since – with their spending last summer increasing the criticism they received after dropping into the Europa League.

In Robert Lewandowski, the Catalan side signed a lethal striker, while Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen have established themselves as key elements of Europe’s best defence.

Xavi’s men have conceded just seven goals in La Liga this season as they stretched their lead at the top over Real to 11 points.

They have kept 16 clean sheets from 21 matches, and are unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions.

Like ten Hag, Xavi was also full of praise for his counterpart.

“Erik ten Hag has changed the face of Man United. They’re doing a good job,” said the Spaniard.

“The club and fans are excited again.

“He is an attacking coach and he shows it in almost every game.

“He is a reference for coaches who like this kind of football.

“We need to take care of all the United players but, yes, Marcus Rashford is one of the best in Europe at the moment.”

Barcelona will be without injured key duo Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets. AFP