Erik ten Hag gives honest verdict about Manchester United facing Barcelona in Europa League tie

Man United take on Barcelona in the Europa League play-off first leg on Thursday and Erik ten Hag has previewed the tie..

Erik ten Hag has admitted he would have preferred for Manchester United to play Barcelona in the final of the Europa League.

United failed to win their Europa League group and Barcelona finished third in their Champions League group earlier this season, which means the two clubs will now meet in a play-off round over two legs at Camp Nou and Old Trafford.

The meetings between the two sides have predominantly been in the Champions League in the past, but both are now competing in the Europa League and Barcelona are in fact the favourites to progress to the next round of the competition.