Barcelona manager Xavi issues verdict on Erik ten Hag's Manchester United

Barcelona manager Xavi has admitted Manchester United will be a 'very difficult' Europa League opponent.

United take on La Liga leaders Barcelona in the competition's knockout round playoff, with the first leg at Camp Nou on Thursday. Erik ten Hag's side missed the chance to avoid this stage altogether by failing to win their Europa League group.

And they've been pitted against a Barca team who are top of La Liga, 11 points clear of Real Madrid. Xavi's side dropped into the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League group, behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

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The Barca boss has received plenty of praise this season and the Catalans are favourites to progress to the next round although the 43-year-old, speaking after his side's win over Villarreal on Sunday, expects a tough contest.

"I will not say that [Barcelona are unstoppable], but we're in a good moment, a perfect moment in defence," Xavi told La Liga TV. "In the intensity, the high pressure, we recovered one ball today that we could have scored the 1-0.

"That's very important to us, the intensity and the rhythm. Of course, it was really tough to dominate the game, because they pressed high for the 90 minutes, so it was difficult and we needed to win the duels today.

"If we win the duels, it's an attack for Barcelona. I'm very happy and satisfied. Now we need to recover well, change the mentality for the Europa League and show our best level against Manchester United, as they're also in a really good moment.

"It's a very difficult draw, they [United] are a very difficult team, but okay, let's compete. We're in the best moment since I came here as a coach."

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