Manchester United are set for their biggest challenge of the season, and one of the times that will define their progress under Erik Ten Hag is when the Red Devils play FC Barcelona in the Europa League knockout phase this week.
Manchester United's new manager has managed to turn the Red Devils' season around after a disastrous start. They have lost just once since their 6-3 thumping in the Manchester derby in November, progressed to the Carabao Cup final, and are still competing in four different tournaments. They are the only side in Europe currently at this level.
They have fought their way back into the top four, and it seems they are in a title race, although this notion is still up for debate. They are now recognized as one of the most fierce sides to play in the Premier League, given their new approach to games and developing ability to control and dictate games.
They have staked their claim to being one of the top big teams to play against this season, recording wins against Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City and picking up a draw against Chelsea.
The Dutch tactician has managed to create a stable defense with the duo of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. They are unlucky not to have the services of Christian Eriksen due to injury, but the Denmark international is the most creative player in the squad. He also has utilized Casemiro to the very best, with the 30-year-old becoming the most vital member of the former Ajax management set up. Marcus Rashford has turned into a goal machine under Erik Ten Hag.
The atmosphere is positive, and there is a change of mentality; however, all these things will be put to the fullest test against Xavi's FC Barcelona on Thursday.
Manchester United's record against Spanish teams isn't great; they lost at home to Real Sociedad in their first Europa League game. a match they lost 1-0 back in November.
In UEFA competitions, Manchester United has been knocked out by Spanish teams for consecutive years since winning the Europa League against FC Ajax with Jose Mourinho in 2017.
In the same year, Manchester United lost to Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup before Sevilla ended their run in the 2018 Champions League round of 16. Thursday's opponent eliminated them in the quarterfinals of the same European competition the following year.
In 2020, Sevilla once again ended their fantastic run in the Europa League semifinals, before Villarreal defeated them in the 2021 Europa League finals on penalties. Atletico Madrid were their last defeat, when Diego Simeone's side defeated them in the Champions League round of 16. However, they recorded victories in the play-offs against Real Sociedad and Granada in 2021 and Celta Vigo in 2017.
Their Thursday opponent, FC Barcelona, is in great shape. They have won the Spanish Super Cup, beating bitter rivals Real Madrid 3-0. They are leaders in La Liga with an 11-point gap and have conceded just seven times in 21 games while recording 16 clean sheets.
Comparing their stats in UEFA competitions this season, FC Barcelona has an overall win percentage of 33%, while Erik Ten Hag's side has an 83% win percentage.
Erik Ten Hag at Manchester United,
• 36 games.
• 26 wins.
• 72% win percentage.
• 64 goals.
• 17 clean sheets.
• Finals in Carabao Cup.
• Ro16 in FA Cup.
• 2nd in the Premier League.
• The only English team in all 4 competition in Europe
Regardless of the stats, Xavi Hernandez's side are in incredible form at the moment, and given several players' absence in Manchester United's first team, Erik Ten Hag's side faces one of their biggest games of the season.
Manchester United's keeper David De Gea is however fired up ahead of the Thursday trip to Spain. After celebrating the Red Devils victory over Leeds United on Sunday afternoon and also reaching Premier League 400 appearances for Manchester United, the 32 year old spoke to MUTV.
"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."
Post a Comment