Erik ten Hag makes Man Utd ambitions clear ahead of Europa League clash with Barcelona

Erik ten Hag hailed tonight’s showdown between European giants Manchester United and Barcelona as a match worthy of the final.

Yet the fallen giants, who are both trying to find their way back to the top table after tough times, are facing off to decide which one makes it to the Europa League last 16.

United have made huge progress under Ten Hag, third in the Premier League and on course to return to the Champions League, while Barca are 11 points clear at the top of La Liga and poised to be champions again. The European heavyweights, who boast eight Champions League crowns and 46 league titles between them, face off at the Nou Camp tonight in what promises to be an epic duel.

They met in the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals, with Barca winning on both occasions, although sandwiched between those triumphs was a 2008 semi-final win for United, who went on to lift the famous trophy.

More than a decade on from those epic meetings, the landscape is very different for United and Barca, now led by their former midfielder Xavi, despite their rich history and enduring global popularity.

Ten Hag acknowledged both clubs are in transition, with the United boss claiming tonight’s encounter will be a chance for both to assess where they are at in their development.

“I think Barcelona and us would have preferred to play this match in the final,” said Ten Hag. “Both clubs have the ambition to be in the Champions League.

“Not just to be in the Champions League, they want to have an impact in the Champions League, go in the semi-finals and finals and win it.

“But the reality is we’re in the Europa League, which tells you both clubs needed a reset.

“I think we’re both heading in the right direction, so I think it’s exciting to face each other. It will help both clubs to know where you are. It’s a good test. You get challenged from such tests and you get better.

“We will see a game that will be played at the highest level.

“I admired Xavi as a player. The way Barcelona played with him, he was such an important part of the team. You can see that the philosophy he now brings to the team is his Barcelona. I really like his team, the attacking way of play.

“I think Barcelona, at this moment, are playing their best football in several years.”