The Europa League knockout round match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona this week will serve as a barometer for the Red Devils' progress under Erik Ten Hag as they prepare for their toughest challenge of the season.
After a terrible start to the season, Manchester United's new manager has been able to turn the season around. They advanced to the Carabao Cup final, have lost just once since their 6-3 demolition in the Manchester derby in November, and are still in four tournaments. At this time, they are the only team in Europe.
They have clawed their way back into the top four, and although this idea is still debatable, it appears they are in a title race. Given their new strategy for games and increasing capacity to exert control and affect outcomes, they are currently acknowledged as one of the most aggressive teams to play in the Premier League.
With victories over Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City, as well as a draw against Chelsea, they have established themselves as one of the top large teams to play this season.
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez together form the Dutch tactician's dependable defense. Christian Eriksen, a talented player from Denmark, is unfortunate to be out injured because he is the team's most creative player. He has also made the best use of Casemiro, who, at the age of 30, has emerged as the most crucial figure in the previous Ajax management structure. Under Erik Ten Hag, Marcus Rashford has developed into a prolific scorer.
Although the mood is upbeat and there has been a mentality shift, all of these things will be put to the ultimate test on Thursday when they face Xavi's FC Barcelona.
Manchester United has a poor track record against Spanish opposition; in their opening Europa League match, they were defeated at home by Real Sociedad. a contest they dropped in November, 1-0.
Since defeating FC Ajax to win the Europa League under Jose Mourinho in 2017, Manchester United has been eliminated by Spanish teams in consecutive UEFA tournaments.
In the same year, Manchester United's run in the 2018 Champions League round of 16 was terminated by Sevilla after they fell to Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup. The following year, they lost to Thursday's opponent in the same European tournament's quarterfinals.
Prior to Villarreal defeating them in the 2021 Europa League final on penalties, Sevilla once more halted their impressive run in the semifinals of the Europa League in 2020. Their most recent loss came at the hands of Diego Simeone's squad in the round of 16 of the Champions League against Atletico Madrid. They did, however, triumph over Real Sociedad, Granada, and Celta Vigo in the playoffs in 2021 and 2017, respectively.
FC Barcelona, their opponent on Thursday, is in excellent shape. They defeated their fierce rival Real Madrid 3-0 to win the Spanish Super Cup. With an 11-point lead over the competition, they are in first place in La Liga. In 21 games, they have only given up seven goals while keeping 16 clean sheets.
In terms of overall win percentage in UEFA competitions this year, FC Barcelona has a 33% mark, whereas Erik Ten Hag's team has an 83% mark.
with Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag
• 36 games.
• 26 wins.
• A 72% win rate.
• 64 goals.
• 17 fresh bed sheets.
• Carabao Cup finals.
• FA Cup Round of 16.
• Second place in the Premier League
• The only English team competing in all four European competitions
Regardless of the statistics, Xavi Hernandez's club is now in amazing form, and with the unavailability of numerous players from Manchester United's starting lineup, Erik Ten Hag's team will play in one of their most important games of the year.
However, David De Gea of Manchester United is motivated for the Thursday trip to Spain. The 32-year-old spoke to MUTV following his 400th appearance for Manchester United in the Premier League and the Red Devils' triumph over Leeds United on Sunday.
"Of course. It's going to be a big game, Barcelona. They are top of the league in Spain, so it is going to be a nice game. Let's keep the momentum, play our best game and try to win at the Camp Nou."
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