Erik ten Hag’s answer was immediate when asked in December which player from Dutch history he would like to bring to Manchester United.
“Cruyff, of course,” he replied. And he didn’t mean Jordi, the current sporting director of Barcelona.
Manchester United’s manager admits that he still thinks a lot about Johan Cruyff, of whom he had two pictures on the wall in his office at Ajax Amsterdam.
“One as a player, Johan Cruyff, and one as a coach, Johan Cruyff,” he told Uefa this week. “He, in particular, was thinking outside the box and he brought a lot to football. Football is always about winning, but he wanted to do it in a certain way. It has to be in an adventurous way, in an entertaining way.
“That was the way he wanted to express it, how he wanted the game to be played and we really have to credit him with that, we have to value that, because football is for the people to watch. That's why I'm so happy to be a manager at the Theatre of Dreams.”
In Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández, Cruyff has a kindred spirit. Ten Hag and Xavi clash on Thursday on the unexpected stage of a Europa League play-off. Interest in the games between two of the three biggest clubs in the world is vast, with more than 100,000 waiting in an online queue for tickets for Old Trafford next Thursday.
Xavi learnt from Cruyff’s style at Camp Nou. As a player, Pep Guardiola was the finest exponent of Barca’s Cruyffism until Xavi came along. “There’s the man who will retire me,” said Guardiola upon seeing a young Xavi. Guardiola was the master of teams which dominate, the product of a system which started with the Dutch Total Football system and was enshrined by Cruyff in Spain.
It’s little surprise that Xavi likes Ten Hag’s style. “He is a great coach,” he said on Wednesday. “Somehow reversing the situation at United was not an easy task but he’s accomplishing it.
Barcelona ratings v Villarreal
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BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 7. Positioned himself well when Morales was free with only the German to beat. Fifteen clean sheets now in 21 La Liga games, of which Barcelona have won 18 and lost only one. That’s why they’re clear favourites to win the league. AFP -
Jules Kounde – 7. Won possession for his team in the build-up to the first goal. Booked. Pushed into the middle and won everything in the air. AFP -
Ronald Araujo – 9. Looking more settled than his ever-changing hair colour as he was stretched by a competent Villarreal forward line. Strong, fast, and celebrated a clearance from a Pina after 60 minutes which kept his side ahead. Booked. Reuters -
Andreas Christensen – 8. The established partner to Araujo as Barca moved 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the league, having played a game more. Barca have conceded only seven goals in 21. AP -
Alejandro Balde – 7. A revelation this season in which Barcelona have won their last five away games by a single goal at Valencia, Osasuna, Atletico, Girona, and Betis. And now at Villarreal. AP -
Franck Kessie – 7. In for the injured Busquets, he was aggressive against Capoue. Ran over 11 kilometres before he was brought off after 88. Reuters -
Pedri – 8. Early pass split the defence to set up Lewandowski. Then put his side ahead on 18, his sixth league goal of the season. Only Lewandowski has scored more. He’s been more offensive. Clever player. Man of the match. EPA -
Frenkie De Jong – 8. Excellent. Pass forward was key to the first goal. Won the ball in the middle, beautiful passing range. Booked. Will play against the team who courted him last year. "We need to be at our best against Manchester United," said his manager Xavi. "We are in the best moment since my arrival right now.” Reuters -
Gavi – 7. Key, brave, head-first player in the midfield four as Barcelona went 12 undefeated in front of 21,178 at the remodelled La Ceramica stadium. AP -
Robert Lewandowski – 7. First chance of the night saved by Pepe Reina, then he assisted Pedri to put the Catalans ahead. Another shot at goal after 27. His combination with Pedri is effective. A threat until the end, shooting on target after 93. AFP -
Raphinha – 7. Involved in the first goal, a fine team move. Went for goal himself with a 24th minute free-kick from distance. Shot wide after 60 after being set up by Lewandowski. Lively and set to keep his place in the side to play Manchester United as Dembele is injured. Booked. AFP -
SUBS: Ferran Torres (Raphiniha 81’) – N/A; Jordi Alba (Kessie 88’) – N/A. Xavi's side made it 11 wins in a row in all competitions, equalling Pep Guardiola's best winning streak as Barca's manager. EPA
“The club and the fan base are excited again, he has changed things offensively and defensively. He is a very interesting coach, does great variants, a line of three side players who go inside. He’s an offensive coach and that proves that, he is a reference for offensive coaches who like this kind of football.”
Xavi, who’s side lead Real Madrid by 11 points at the top of La Liga, talked about several of the United players he is likely to face.
When the United manager’s comments that Rashford was one of the best forwards in Europe were raised, the Barca coach said: “Yes, fully agree because he’s very fast, he has a very good dribble one against one. In the transition he is very, very dangerous so, yes, we need to take care of all of them but especially Rashford. He’s one of the most dangerous players now in Europe.
“We have assessed what they are doing. Rashford, [Alejandro] Garnacho, [Jadon] Sancho, [Wout] Weghorst might be a reference. United are very quick on transitions, they have strong legs so we need players who can run.”
United tried to sign one of his players, Frenkie de Jong, last summer – and Barca were prepared to sell him.
“I think he was really clear to me – he wanted to stay so there was no doubt.” said Xavi. “Now he is our player, I am really happy with his performance and leadership, in a very good moment, he is enjoying himself on the pitch and that is the most important thing.”
“Man United is a big club in Europe,” Xavi added. “They are not in the best moment of their history but they are Manchester United and we respect them a lot.
“Erik ten Hag, all the players, they are in a very good moment with good results in the last weeks so it will be very difficult against them. It will be very difficult to beat them.”
Midfielder Sergio Busquets and attacker Ousmane Dembele are out for the Catalans, who last faced United in 2019 – which saw Barca triumph 4-0 over two legs in the Champions League quarter-finals.
“I expect this is going to a harsh game, one of the best games we can play, it’s going to be difficult,” said wide man Raphinha, one of the Barca players with Premier League experience.
“These are two of the best teams in the world and we’ve both been through rough patches.”
Raphinha took time to settle after his £55 million ($66m) transfer from Leeds United in 2022. “You need an adaptation period, all players need that,” he said.
“When you have players you don’t know you need time to adapt to the style, but I’m experiencing my best moment in the club. In my mindset I’m doing better.
“Manchester is one of the best teams in the world, one of the best clubs. They’re a team with great players.”
Raphinha's boss thinks the same and the stage is set for the first of two tough battles.
