Man Utd Draw Barcelona in Europa League Knockout Round Playoff

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 while Roma will take on RB Salzburg.

Barcelona dropped into the competition after finishing third in their Champions League group, while Man Utd lost out on top spot to Real Sociedad.

“We will have to compete, going to Manchester against a really top rival and a historic side which has grown a lot with the arrival of [Erik] ten Hag,” said Barcelona manager Xavi after the draw.

“[They have] great individual players and it is the toughest rival once again in the Europa League.

“We will have time to analyse it, they are a strong team in both defence and attack… Two big teams and it’s going to be a massive task.”

Elsewhere, Jose Mourinho’s Roma will face RB Salzburg while Juventus will take on Nantes.

Play-off fixtures in full

Barcelona (ESP) vs Manchester United (ENG)
Juventus (ITA) vs Nantes (FRA)
Sporting CP (POR) vs Midtjylland (DEN)
Shakhtar (UKR) vs Rennes (FRA)
Ajax (NED) vs Union Berlin (GER)
Leverkusen (GER) vs Monaco (FRA)
Sevilla (ESP) vs PSV (NED)
Salzburg (AUT) vs Roma (ITA)

The first legs of the last play-off round will be played on February 16, 2023, before the return legs a week later.

The winners go into the last-16, which includes Arsenal after they topped their Europa League group.

Featured Image Caption: Barcelona boss Xavi says it will be a ‘massive challenge’ facing Man Utd counterpart Ten Hag’s side. [Photo BBC]