Barcelona Boss reacts to Europa League play-off draw against Manchester United

Barcelona were on Monday drawn against Premier League giants Manchester United in the Europa League play-off draw.

Sequel to the pairing, Barca boss Xavi has angrily suggested that his team have been handed the ‘most difficult opponent’.

Xavi and Barcelona will take on Erik ten Hag and his side in February for a spot in the last-16 of the competition after the Catalan giants dropped to the Europa League following their third place finish in the group stage.

The Nou Camp club finished behind Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and Serie A giants Inter Milan in their group, which was by far the toughest in the group stages.

And Xavi says his side have had ‘no luck’ once again with their Europa League draw as they’ve been paired with the toughest side remaining in the competition.

‘It is the most difficult opponent once again. But we will look forward to it,’ said Ten Hag.

‘They are a historic side, they have grown a lot with Ten Hag, they have great players. It’s the worst draw we could have got. Once again. No luck.’

The tie will see Frenkie de Jong come up against his former boss at Ajax and the Red Devils that pursued him for three months last summer.

United agreed a deal to sign the Dutchman but he was unwilling to leave the Camp Nou, not least because the club refused to confirm that they will pay him £17m in deferred wages.

National Daily recalls that United last took on Barcelona in 2019 in the last-16 of the Champions League, when the Spaniards ran out 4-0 aggregate winners.