Manchester United and Barcelona have a storied history of epic battles on the football pitch. From the legendary Champions League finals of 2009 and 2011, to the group stage clashes in recent years, the two teams have provided fans with some of the most memorable moments in European football. Now, they are set to renew their rivalry in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, and it promises to be another titanic clash. Manchester United vs Barcelona
Manchester United vs Barcelona, Europa League: Team News, Match Preview
Manchester United have been on an impressive run of form since the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager. The Norwegian has revitalized the club, and they are currently second in the Premier League, behind only their arch-rivals Manchester City. United have also made it to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, and they will be hoping to go all the way and lift the trophy.
Man United vs Barca Live On TV free
Barcelona, on the other hand, have had a somewhat difficult season by their standards. They are currently third in La Liga, behind Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, and they were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16. However, they still possess a wealth of talent in their squad, including the likes of Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, and Frenkie de Jong, and they will be determined to win the Europa League to salvage their season.
Manchester United vs Barcelona live score, H2H and lineups
When it comes to head-to-head record, Manchester United and Barcelona have faced each other on 12 occasions in European competition, with each team winning four times and four matches ending in draws. The most memorable of those meetings were undoubtedly the two Champions League finals, which Barcelona won convincingly both times, in 2009 and 2011. However, United have also had some famous victories over the Catalan giants, including a 1-0 win in the semi-finals of the 2008 Champions League, which they went on to win.
So, what can we expect from this latest clash between two of the biggest clubs in world football? Firstly, we can expect a fiercely contested match, with both teams desperate to progress to the semi-finals. United have a solid defense, with the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw providing a strong backbone to the team. They also have plenty of attacking firepower, with Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Paul Pogba all capable of producing moments of magic.
Barcelona, meanwhile, will look to dominate possession and control the tempo of the game, as they always do. They have an abundance of creative talent in their midfield, with the likes of de Jong, Sergio Busquets, and Pedri able to pick out killer passes and create scoring opportunities for their forwards. Messi, of course, is the biggest threat of all, and United will need to keep a close eye on him if they are to have any chance of winning.
One interesting subplot to this match is the presence of former Barcelona striker, and current United player, Memphis Depay. The Dutch international has been in fine form this season, scoring 15 goals and providing 9 assists for Lyon before making the move to Old Trafford. He will no doubt be keen to prove a point against his former club, and if he can continue his impressive form, he could be the key to unlocking Barcelona’s defense.
Ultimately, though, this match is likely to be decided by which team can impose their style of play on the other. If Barcelona can control possession and play their trademark passing game, they will be difficult to beat. However, if United can disrupt their rhythm and hit them on the counter-attack, they could cause an upset. It promises to be a fascinating encounter, and one that fans of both teams will be eagerly anticipating.
In conclusion, the Europa League clash between Manchester United and Barcelona is a battle of