Manchester United vs Barcelona LIVE: Latest Europa League play-off updates

Barcelona have faced Manchester United away from home in European competition on five previous occasions.

After failing to win any of the first four (D2 L2), they won 1-0 on their most recent such trip in April 2019 in a Champions League quarter-final first leg match.

Xavi spoke about what he is expecting from tonight’s game claimed that Manchester United are one of the best teams in Europe at present.

“It’s a really tough game, Manchester United are one of the best teams in Europe and they are showing it.” said the Barcelona boss, “It’s the best Manchester United over the last few years and a great bit of work that Erik ten Hag has done.

“At the Nou Camp they showed a great passion and we have to match that. It’s a tough stadium to go to and we have to show the personality, play the way we can and be very intense during the game.

“The mentality is what we need to play a game like this. Manchester United are still up there with Manchester City and Arsenal [in the Premier League] so it’s a perfect stage to show Barcelona can compete with these teams.”

The 2018 World Cup winner joined the Old Trafford giants in the summer of 2021 alongside Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo, but the campaign that followed was one to forget for all connected to the club.

United sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and floundered under caretaker boss Ralf Rangnick as they stumbled home sixth in the Premier League – a wretched situation that Ten Hag has rapidly turned around.

The former Ajax boss has improved the culture and quality at Old Trafford, meaning the club are still fighting on all four fronts as they prepare to host Barca in the Europa League knockout play-off on Thursday.

Barcelona have arrived at Old Trafford and are preparing for tonight’s clash. The players will be heading onto the pitch for the warm-ups shortly.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag shared dinner with Sir Alex Ferguson this week as he looks to emulate the Scot in bringing European success to the club. He described the meeting as “massive”.

“I always enjoy speaking with people who have a lot of knowledge, a lot of experience. He wants to share it; he wants to help and support,” Ten Hag said.

“You feel Manchester United is his club. He feels so committed and he wants that we are doing well. It was a great night and I look forward to the next night with him.”

Jules Kounde does not feel lucky to be facing Manchester United in the Europa League after Erik ten Hag fumed that the Barcelona defender should have been sent off and banned for the return leg.

Last week’s meeting of these European heavyweights outside the flagship competition lived up to the billing, with a chaotic clash in Catalunya ending in a 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp.

It was an impressive performance but Ten Hag was annoyed about his side’s inability to turn dominance into a win and the officials’ inaction for a poor challenge on star man Marcus Rashford.

Shortly after scoring an own goal to put the Red Devils 2-1 up, Kounde escaped a red card for a challenge on Rashford – something the Dutchman said was “definitely” a second off.

Erik ten Hag makes just one change to the Manchester United team that drew 2-2 at the Nou Camp. Tyrell Malacia drops out with Lisandro Martinez coming in. Luke Shaw moves out to the left-back position having played as a centre-back in Spain.

Barcelona boss, Xavi, makes four changes. In the back line Andreas Christensen and Alejandro Balde come in to replace Marcos Alonso and Jordi Alba.

Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto replace Pedri and Gavi in midfield.

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde, De Jong, Kessie, Busquets, Roberto, Raphinha, Lewandowski

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Fred, Casemiro, Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford, Weghorst

Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League group stage for the second consecutive season after finishing third in Group C behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan while Manchester United finished second in their Europa League group on goal difference behind Real Sociedad.

Those performances has provided this extra play-off tie for the teams to navigate, things are balanced at 2-2 but only one of the sides will be progressing into the round of 16.