Aheed Abrar
Eric Garcia looking forward to the Europa League clash between Barcelona and Manchester United
Barcelona star Eric Garcia is looking forward to the Europa League clash between the Blaugrana and Manchester United. The Red Devils will take on Xavi’s team in the play-off ties for a place in the round of 16.
The first leg of the tie will take place at Camp Nou on 16 February. Then, the La Liga giants will visit the Theatre of Dreams on 23 February to take on the Old Trafford side.
Speaking to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero (h/t Manchester Evening News), Gracia, who joined Barcelona from Manchester City, expressed his anticipation at facing the Red Devils.
“Manchester United are a team under construction with very interesting players. It will be a very good match.”
The Blaugrana dropped down to the UEL after finishing third in their Champions League group. Bayern Munich and Inter Milan pipped the La Liga giants to book a place in the knockout rounds of the UCL.
Now, spectators will get to see two great teams of the past taking on each other in the second-tier competition of European club football.
In the past, the Red Devils have had exciting ties with the Catalans. More recently, we lost the 2009 and 2011 UCL finals against them. The Old Trafford side were also unable to get past the Camp Nou side in the 2018/19 season in the quarter-finals of the prestigious European club tournament.
United qualified for the UEL last season after finishing sixth in the Premier League. During the group stages, we were unable to take the top spot from Real Sociedad and have to play Barcelona in the play-off tie now.
While Xavi’s team suffered heartbreak in the UCL, they are currently first in La Liga. The Blaugrana invested heavily in the recent transfer window, with the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde making their way to the Catalan outfit.
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But Erik ten Hag has also steadied the ship since the start of the campaign. Hopefully, we will be able to go all the way and get our hands on the European trophy for a second time after the triumph in 2017.
