Barcelona take on Manchester United in Europa League play-offs

Spanish side, who dropped down from Champions League for second season running, take on Ten Hag's men in battle of European giants

Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring Barcelona's first goal against Mallorca at Estadi de Son Moix on October 1, 2022 in Mallorca, Spain. Getty

Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring for Barcelona against Mallorca. Getty

Robert Lewandowski runs with the ball while under pressure from Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta. Getty

Barcelona players celebrate with Robert Lewandowski after his goal against Mallorca. AFP

Barcelona forward Ferran Torres vies for the ball with Mallorca midfielder Iddrisu Baba. AFP

Barcelona midfielder Gavi vies for the ball with Mallorca midfielder Iddrisu Mohamed Baba. AFP

Referee Jesus Gil Manzano shows a yellow card to Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. Getty

Barcelona forward runs with the ball between Mallorca players Iddrisu Baba and Pablo Maffeo. Reuters

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc- Andre Ter Stegen collects the ball. EPA

Marc-Andre ter Stegen celebrates victory with Sergio Busquets and Ferran Torres. Getty

Two of European football's biggest teams will clash in the Europa League play-offs as Barcelona were pitted against Manchester United in Monday's draw.

Spanish side Barca, who dropped down from Champions League for the second season running after finishing third in their group, will take on Erik Ten Hag's side at Camp Nou on February 16 for the first leg of the tie. The return at Old Trafford takes place on February 23.

United finished second in their Europa League group – behind another Spanish side in Real Sociedad – and will now take on the Catalan giants for the first time since 2019, when Barca triumphed 3-0 in Spain, sealing a 4-0 aggregate victory in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Red Devils also have some fond memories of Camp Nou, though, having completed the 1999 treble in the stadium with a last-gasp victory over Bayern Munich in that year’s Champions League final.

"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 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."

Other teams who dropped down from the Champions League included Serie A side Juventus, who were drawn against French side Nantes; La Liga outfit Sevilla, who will face Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven, and Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen who will tackle Ligue 1 side Monaco.

Jose Mourinho's reigning Europa Conference League champions AS Roma will take on Austria's FC Red Bull Salzburg.

The eight group runners-up from the Europa League face eight third-placed sides from the Champions League group stages, with the winners of the two-legged play-offs progressing to the last 16.

Eight teams have already advanced to the last 16; Arsenal, Fenerbahce, Real Betis, Union Saint-Gilloise, Real Sociedad, Feyenoord, Freiburg and Ferencvaros.

Real Sociedad 0 Manchester United 1: player ratings

REAL SOCIEDAD RATINGS: Alex Remiro – 6 Unflappable under United’s early pressing, but left exposed and helpless for Garnacho’s goal. Quick off his line to prompt Ronaldo’s overhit lob and had nothing of note to do in the second half. AP

Andoni Gorosabel – 5 Terrorised by Garnacho and Shaw in the opening half. Forced a decent save from De Gea with a dipping volley late in the first period, but too often left exposed and targeted by United’s forward raids prior to his second-half substitution. AP

Robin Le Normand – 7 The hosts’ outstanding defender. On the front foot straight away in his battle with Ronaldo and always the calmest, most imposing presence in the Sociedad backline, constantly snuffing out fires before they could begin. EPA

Jon Pacheco – 6 Made a vital interception to divert an early cross which was bound for Ronaldo, but was left to count his blessings when the Portuguese intercepted his shoddy clearance and lobbed wastefully over. AFP

Diego Rico – 7 An energetic presence on the hosts’ left and always a willing auxiliary attacker. Asked plenty of questions of Dalot in one of the game’s most interesting duels. Dominated Fernandes aerially whenever United tried to switch play to his flank and fought to the very end. Getty

Pablo Marin – 6 Made his first European start and had a trio of first-half efforts: a 30-yarder which sailed well off-target, a scuffed effort from the edge of the box and a close-ranger somehow turned over by De Gea’s head. Had no impact in the second half and was replaced early on. AP

Martin Zubimendi – 8 Showed a great range of passing and caught the eye as Sociedad bossed the midfield battle to enjoy a territorial advantage before the break. Remained neat, tidy and functional in a cagey second period. The game’s outstanding midfielder. EPA

Mikel Merino – 7 Sharp from the first whistle, putting in diligent defensive work while always looking to press and probe in attack. Remained influential in the centre even when the midfield became congested in the later stages. Getty

Brais Mendez – 6 Looked to break United’s defensive lines where possible but wasn’t given enough options from his attackers when he had the ball. Slung in some inviting crosses early in the second half but became frustrated and picked up a booking for booting the ball away. Getty

Alexander Sorloth – 5 A willing runner with some decent early flashes but struggled to match Martinez’s aggression – best illustrated when the Argentina defender brilliantly deflected his header over at the start of the second half. AFP

Carlos Fernandez – 5 Fired into the side-netting early on, but looked sloppy and picked the wrong pass on more than one occasion and wasn’t able to help translate his side’s periods of dominance into a goal. Had two half-chances midway through the second half but sent both well over. AP

SUBS: Aritz Elustondo (Andoni Gorosabel, 58) – 7 Added steel to the hosts’ defence with his no-nonsense approach, and United’s threat down the left decreased markedly after his introduction. Getty

Robert Navarro (Pablo Marin, 59) – 7 Brought in for the tiring Marin and quickly showed a series of neat touches and give-and-goes. Problematic to United’s reshuffled three-man defence. EPA

Ander Guevara (Carlos Fernandez, 73) – 5 Hardly had a kick as the game descended into a late aerial bombardment from United on the rare occasions that the ball was in play. AP

Igor Zubeldia (Brais Mendez, 83) – N/A Had little time on the pitch and rarely came into play as the game ground to a halt as a spectacle. Jon Magunazelaia (Alexander Sorloth, 83) – N/A Led one counter in which he was caught by a stray arm from Dalot. AP

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea - 8 Fine double save before half time, the second a Mendez strike from close saw his teammates congratulate him in front of the 36,744 crowd. Alert as La Real swung high balls towards his net in search of an equaliser. EPA

Diogo Dalot - 7 Needed to be on it against a team who’d won all five of their Europa League group games. He was. Under more pressure as United’s defence went to a three and La Real pressed well. Booked. EPA

Victor Lindelof - 7 Back in the team with Varane injured and he didn’t let anyone down. Fuming as Carlos Fernandez took his time to get off the pitch knowing 1-0 would suffice. Played well alongside Martinez. AP

Lisandro Martinez - 8 Wondrous long ball to Ronaldo after 41. Floored after going in on a challenge with Mendez on 62. Strong in the air on a night of high balls. Booked. EPA

Luke Shaw - 7 Playing well and did so again. More responsibility and defending when the defence went to a three and the overlaps were reduced. Reuters

Casemiro - 7 So good in the air. Locals howled at him after he appeared to clean out a player and he had to defend as the home side had more possession. Shifted to centre half late on as it all went a bit weird. Getty

Christian Eriksen - 6 Neat, hit long and accurate passes – one almost found Fernandes and he rushed on the goalkeeper after 80. Pushed back as the Basques pressed and he needed to provide cover but by that time the formation was an odd one and he was lost in it. Getty

Bruno Fernandes - 6 Swung crosses and passes in from the right and vital in the opening goal. Better in the first half than the second where United lacked a finisher. Getty

Alejandro Garnacho - 8 Big shout to start him in such a big game, but he ran at players and on to Ronaldo’s well-weighted pass to score his first goal for the club after 17 minutes. Quick, exciting. AP

Donny Van de Beek - 5 Very rare start for the Dutchman and did little to suggest that he deserves another anytime soon. EPA

Cristiano Ronaldo - 7 Penalty appeals after he was fouled after 10 and he shook his head after one tackle too many. Perfect pass to tee up Garnacho for the opening goal. Scooped a shot over on, then chipped the goalkeeper – and the crossbar on 41 – when he should have done better. Hit another beautiful defence splitting ball to play Rashford in on 58. Needs a goal. Booked. EPA

SUBS: Marcus Rashford - 5 On for Van de Beek on 58. Lively. Dribbled and lost the ball on 77 as United pushed for a second. Lost the ball again a minute later as another attack broke down. Getty

Scott McTominay - 6 On for Lindelof on 58 as United pushed for a second goal. Defended well, attacked. Couldn’t change the scoreline. AP

Harry Maguire - 6 On for Martinez after 82 – though the public address system said it was Shaw. There was more confusion when he went to play as a striker in a desperate search for a second. Didn’t happen. Getty

Fred - 6 On for Garnacho on 82 as the home team wasted time to try and stretch the game out and stay group leaders. Hit several high balls into the box, which were dealt with. Getty