Barcelona will face the best Manchester United team for many years in the second leg of their Europa League knockout round tie at Old Trafford, coach Xavi said on Wednesday.
After fighting back to earn a 2-2 draw with the Premier League side in a pulsating game at Camp Nou, Xavi believes his team will need to be at their best on Thursday to advance to the last 16.
"It will be a very difficult game, Manchester United are one of the best teams in Europe today and they're showing it every game," Xavi told a news conference.
"[Manager Erik] Ten Hag is doing a great job. They are a team that show intensity, mentality, passion, rhythm ... we will need to match them in every level, to show personality and be loyal to our style.
"Above all, we need the bring the mentality to compete in Europe. We can say that Manchester United have returned and they are playing their best football in many years. It is a good opportunity to show that Barca can also compete."
Xavi oversaw a training session at Old Trafford where stars Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong - a United transfer target last summer - took part.
Xavi will, however, be without the injured Pedri and Ousmane Dembele while Gavi is suspended.
Man United train ahead of Barca clash
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Marcus Rashford at the Aon Training Complex in Carrington on February 22, 2023, on the eve of Manchester United's Europa League play-off second-leg match against Barcelona. Reuters -
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford with Wout Weghorst and Zidane Iqbal during training. Reuters -
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford with Brandon Williams, Jadon Sancho and Zidane Iqbal during training. Reuters -
Manchester United's Antony, left, and Bruno Fernandes during training. EPA -
Antony juggles the ball at Manchester United training. EPA -
Alejandro Garnacho trains with Manchester United teammates. EPA -
Harry Maguire of Manchester United at training. EPA -
Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Alejandro Garnacho train. EPA -
Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia at training. EPA -
Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Casemiro, Victor Lindelof, Diogo Dalot, Antony and Tyrell Malacia at Manchester United training. EPA -
Fred, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. EPA -
Antony, second right, trains with Manchester United teammates. EPA -
Manchester United players train at Carrington. EPA -
Kobbie Mainoo, centre, and Antony, right, at training. EPA -
Fred of Manchester United trains. EPA -
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. EPA -
Harry Maguire of Manchester United, centre. EPA -
Jadon Sancho, left, of Manchester United shares a joke at training. EPA -
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag at training. EPA -
Manchester United players at the Aon Training Complex in Carrington. EPA
