Manchester United and FC Barcelona, two of the most decorated clubs in world football, will meet in Europe’s secondary club competition in 2023.
The UEFA Europa League last-16 play-off draw was completed at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland where Man United and Barca were paired together in the very first tie of the ceremony on Monday.
The Red Devils and La Blaugrana are no strangers to each other, having met 10 times in the Champions League era, including two finals and one semi-final clash between 2008-2011. Now, with both clubs undergoing respective transition periods, they find themselves bound to share a pitch in the Europa League Round of 32.
🇪🇸 Barcelona vs Manchester United 🏴#UELdraw pic.twitter.com/kG6YiYq6Io
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 7, 2022
Man United finished 2nd in its Europa League group, while Barca were demoted from the Champions League after they ended 3rd behind Bayern Munich and Benfica in the group phase. Precisely one hour before United and Barca were drawn together on Monday afternoon, their arch rivals Liverpool and Real Madrid were also paired together in the Champions League last-16.
The two-legged battle in February next year should make for interesting viewing. Were they to face off immediately, both teams would have their fair share of flaws and weaknesses to contend with; United are searching for stability under manager Erik ten Hag while Barca continues with its rebuild under club legend Xaxi.
Cristiano Ronaldo and United twice faced Barca in a Champions League final in the space of three years during his first spell at Old Trafford. It is unclear whether Ronaldo will still be a United player come these crucial clashes with Barca, by which time the Portugal icon will have already turned 38 years-old.
(Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
The other seven pairings in the Europa League Round of 16 playoffs are as follows:
– Ajax vs Union Berlin
– Bayer Leverkusen vs Monaco
– Juventus vs Nantes
– Salzburg vs Roma
– Sevilla vs PSV Eindhoven
– Shakhtar Donetsk vs Stade Rennais
– Sporting CP vs Midtjylland
The six-part group stage was condensed into nine weeks to accommodate the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Across the 96 group matches there was a total 259 goals, an average of 2,7 goals per game.
The eight UEL group winners – Arsenal, Fenerbahce, Ferencvaros, Feyenoord, Freiburg, Real Betis, Real Sociedad, and Royale Union St-Gilloise – have all advanced directly to the last-16.
The play-offs are scheduled for February 16/23, with the Round of 16 pencilled for March 9/16. The 2022/23 Europa League final will take place at the Puskás Arena in Budapest, Hungary on 31 May.
