Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Manchester United

Barcelona return to European action on Thursday night, albeit in UEFA the Europa League. Xavi’s men were eliminated from the Champions League before the World Cup after failing to beat both Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in the group stages and now find themselves in the secondary competition for the second straight season.

Yet, if one disassociates the name of the competition, one realises that an electric clash awaits the Spotify Camp Nou on Thursday night. Barcelona, riding a wave of momentum, face off against an in-form Manchester United as they hope to keep their dream of European success alive.

The Blaugrana have not lost to the Premier League giants in their last three clashes and maintained clean sheets on all three occasions. The dream at Spotify Camp Nou will be to keep that streak alive.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Manchester United.

1. The misplaced tie

On Thursday night, the Spotify Camp Nou will see Barcelona play host to one of football’s historically greatest sides in a clash that has entertained the world for centuries. The Catalans have a special record against Manchester United, and the game will attract eyes from all corners of the globe.

However, both sides will not walk onto the field with the anthem they deserve embracing the stadium. Instead of the numbing UEFA Champions League anthem and flags surrounding the players, they will participate under the flag of the Europa League in what clearly appears a misfit.

After all, Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils and Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona are amongst the most in-form sides in Europe. Despite a rough start to the season, Manchester United sit in third place on the league standings with 14 wins in 23 league games. They sit just five points behind leaders Arsenal, albeit having played two games more.

The English side have lost just one of their last 17 games across all competitions and enter the Spotify Camp Nou off a 2-0 win over Leeds United.

Meanwhile, the hosts enter the Europa League clash on the back of 11 straight wins and a run of 16 unbeaten games.

It is harsh on both sides to employ their trade in the Europa League, for they deserve to be fighting it out at the highest level with the very best. Nevertheless, for what it’s worth, the clash in Catalonia on Thursday will be nothing less than that of a UCL game.

2. A battle down the right

In every Clasico, the topic of Barcelona’s vulnerable right-back position comes to the fore. Real Madrid’s most potent weapon, Vinicius Jr, features on the same wing, and it thus becomes crucial for Xavi to work out a fix.

Despite not having a natural right-back, however, Xavi has utilised Ronald Araujo to nullify the Brazilian’s impact to good effect. For Thursday’s clash, the Spanish tactician could be tempted into a similar approach.

Marcus Rashford has been in fine form for Erik ten Hag’s men since December and has often single-handedly carried the team’s attack. The entire Manchester United counter-attack setup will revolve around the English winger who will feature on Barcelona’s right side.

The 25-year-old has scored 13 goals and provided four assists in United’s last 15 games, averaging over one goal contribution every 90 minutes. His pace on the break and ability to get past defenders are attributes that have grown to greater strengths in recent weeks.

Jules Kounde undoubtedly has more experience playing at right-back and has done a phenomenal job playing out of position. However, one could expect the Frenchman to return to central defence for the clash against United with Araujo manning the right-back position.

3. A point to prove in defence

Barcelona’s defensive record in the league this season is truly flabbergasting. The Catalans have conceded after 21 games with just seven conceded so far.

Ironically, it is their defence that denied them a place in the Champions League knockouts. Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde were concurrently injured for the Catalans’ decisive UCL games against Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, forcing them to drop into the Europa League.

Over a span of just six games, the Blaugranas conceded a whopping 12 goals in the group stage. Conclusions were made about Barcelona’s inability to perform against top teams, and not a soul batted an eye over the absent defensive personnel.

Thursday is the perfect chance to prove to the world that the Catalans deserved a place in the UCL and that their elimination was an outcome of a series of unfortunate events.