Barcelona vs Man United

Having previously met in Champions League finals, two giants of the game now clash in a Europa League knockout round play off.

[Lisandro Martinez](https://www.givemesport.com/tag/lisandro-martinez) and [Marcel Sabitzer](https://www.givemesport.com/tag/marcel-sabitzer) are suspended for the first leg, with Martinez accumulating too many yellows in the group stages and Sabitzer’s European suspension with Bayern Munich carrying into his loan stint at United, via [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/manchester-united/sperrenundverletzungen/verein/985). [Casemiro](https://www.givemesport.com/tag/casemiro) is a major boost for United, with his current suspension for domestic games only. [Louis van Gaal ](https://www.givemesport.com/tag/louis-van-gaal/)managing both clubs, [ Jose Mourinho](http://www.givemesport.com/tag/jose-mourinho) working at both (translator/assistant at Barcelona, manager at United) and Patrick O’Connell playing for United and managing Barca, nine players have played for both clubs. [ Xavi ](https://www.givemesport.com/tag/xavi)and [Erik ten Hag](http://www.givemesport.com/tag/erik-ten-hag) respectively. The other four games have been draws, via [ 11v11](https://www.11v11.com/teams/manchester-united/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Barcelona/). If Erik ten Hag had had his way last summer, [Frenkie de Jong](https://www.givemesport.com/tag/frenkie-de-jong) would have made for a perfect ten. [Juventus](http://www.givemesport.com/tag/juventus) (14) have played United more in Europe than the Catalans, but these two games will push them clear with 15 games. They did, however, lose 3-0 to Bayern this season as they went crashing out of the Champions League in abject fashion. [Sergio Busquets](https://www.givemesport.com/tag/sergio-busquets) [Ousmane Dembele](https://www.givemesport.com/tag/ousmane-dembele) for at least the first leg but other than that, they have a clean bill of health, via [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-barcelona/sperrenundverletzungen/verein/131). Barca are riding high atop of [La Liga](http://www.givemesport.com/tag/la-liga) whilst United sit third in the [ Premier League](http://www.givemesport.com/tag/premier-league) and are also in the [League Cup](http://www.givemesport.com/tag/league-cup) final. [Barcelona](https://www.givemesport.com/tag/barcelona/) and [Manchester United](https://www.givemesport.com/tag/manchester-united) face off in the first leg of by far the most glamorous [Europa League](https://www.givemesport.com/tag/europa-league) knockout round playoff game this season. [Champions League](https://www.givemesport.com/tag/champions-league) group behind [Bayern Munich](https://www.givemesport.com/tag/bayern-munich) and [Inter Milan](https://www.givemesport.com/tag/inter-milan), while United finished behind [Real Sociedad](https://www.givemesport.com/tag/real-sociedad/) in their Europa League group, meaning both fell into the playoff round.