Barcelona and Manchester United met in the Europa League play-off round.

Barcelona host Manchester United on Thursday in a match-up which has twice graced the Champions League ultimate however this week has the relative ignominy of taking region in the Europa League play-off round. The Catalans crashed out of Europe's premier opposition at the first hurdle, whilst Manchester United completed runners up in their Europa League group, main their paths to cross. Despite the tie's diminished stature, each fallen giants are on the upward jostle and amongst the groups in the exceptional structure throughout the continent. Barcelona and Manchester United are each constructing below thrilling coaches in Erik ten Hag and Xavi Hernandez and aiming to return to Europe's elite imminently. The groups closing met in 2019 when United's harsh decline in the barren decade after Sir Alex Ferguson's reign was once in full swing and Barcelona's deep slide was once about to begin. Five-time Champions League winners Barca gained the quarter-final conflict 4-0 on aggregate, however their solely participant from their beginning line-ups then possibly to face United at Camp Nou is goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Barcelona have long past via a profound squad renewal in view that -- with their spending ultimate summer time growing the criticism they acquired after shedding into the Europa League. In Robert Lewandowski the Catalans signed a deadly striker, whilst Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen have set up themselves as key factors of Europe's great defence. Barcelona have conceded simply seven desires in La Liga this season, preserving sixteen easy sheets from 21 matches, and Xavi's aspect are unbeaten in sixteen video games throughout all competitions. The coach, who starred for Barcelona in midfield in their 2009 and 2011 Champions League closing victories over Ferguson's Red Devils, is returning his facet to their former glory.