Everything you need to know about Manchester United’s Europa League play-off vs Barcelona

_{^{(Photo by Kristian Skeie UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)}}

Manchester United have been drawn against Barcelona for the next game of their Europa League campaign, with the fixture definitely the pick of the bunch following the draw on Monday afternoon.

The two European giants will be reluctant to be facing off in the Europa League as opposed to the familiar Champions League competition, but both sets of fans are humbled as to where their sides are currently at, and both clubs will be aiming to be in the final at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary come 31^st May 2023.

The Red Devils finished 2^nd in their group in the Europa League after failing to beat Real Sociedad by two clear goals, whilst the Catalonians had a nightmare of a group stage in the Champions League, finishing 3^rd, with Bayern Munich beating them 3-0 on the final matchday at the Nou Camp.

For the avid transfer people, this game appears massively ironic in the context of Frenkie de Jong, who is believed to have rejected a move to Old Trafford in the summer due to the fact he wanted to play Champions League football.

As most supporters will be aware, United do not have a very flattering record against Barcelona in European competition, with the Reds winning just three of the thirteen meetings, the last of which came in 2008 when Paul Scholes scored that famous goal to put his side into the Champions League final that year.

Thirteen years later, the personnel has changed and so too have the managers; Erik ten Hag against Xavi will be exciting to observe, with the likes of Lisandro Martinez set to be tested against Robert Lewandowski, and you cannot forget Cristiano Ronaldo who will face a familiar foe from his glistening career in Spain (if he stays beyond January, of course).

The two fixtures are set to be played on Thursday 16^th February and Thursday 23^rd February. Kick-off times and further key details are to be confirmed in due course.