- Man Utd rival Ten Hag’s team will face a “big challenge,” according to Barcelona manager Xavi
- Man Utd and Barcelona are tied in the Europa League semifinal game
- Frenkie de Jong, a midfielder for Barcelona, was frequently connected to Erik ten Hag’s team during the summer
In the play-off round of the Europa League, Manchester United will face Barcelona. The eight teams that finished third in their Champions League groups will face the eight runners-up from their Europa League groups, including United. Juventus will play Nantes, and Jose Mourinho’s Roma team will play FC Salzburg.
On February 16 are the first legs, and on February 23 are the second legs. Arsenal qualified for the last 16 as one of the winners when they won their Europa League group. United, who placed second in their group behind Real Sociedad, will travel for the first game at the Nou Camp, with the return match taking place at Old Trafford seven days later.
Frenkie de Jong, a midfielder for Barcelona, was frequently connected to Erik ten Hag’s team during the summer, but the Dutch international ultimately stayed with the Spanish team. Barcelona, who now leads La Liga, placed third in their Champions League group, behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
“We will have to compete, going to Manchester against a really top rival and an historic side which has grown a lot with the arrival of [Erik] ten Hag,” said Barcelona boss Xavi.
“[They have] great individual players and it is the toughest rival once again in the Europa League.
“It’s a massive challenge for us.”
Six-time Europa League champion Sevilla will play PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands.
Barcelona vs. Manchester United full play-off round draw
Nantes vs. Juventus
Midtjylland vs. Sporting Lisbon
Rennes vs. Shakhtar Donetsk
Union Berlin vs. Ajax
Monaco vs. Bayer Leverkusen
PSV Eindhoven and Sevilla
Roma vs. FC Salzburg
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