Europa League 2022-23 play-off: Manchester United to face Barcelona in blockbuster clash

ByEurosport

Updated 07/11/2022 at 16:58 GMT

The Europa League play-off draw threw up an absolutely huge tie as two titans of European football, Manchester United and FC Barcelona, will do battle for a place in the last 16 of the competition. The pair shared two Champions League finals in three years in 2009 and 2011 but now they will face off against each other for a chance to stay alive in the Europa League.

Xavi says Man Utd 'worst possible' draw for Barca in Europa League

Manchester United will face FC Barcelona in what is undoubtedly the tie of the round in the Europa League play-offs.

The two biggest sides going into the draw were on opposite sides, setting up the possibility of a huge clash, and that came to fruition.

The two giants memorably met in two finals in three years in 2009 and 2011, with Pep Guardiola's side triumphing on both occasions.

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They most recently faced each other in the 2019 Champions League quarter-finals when Barcelona hammered United 4-0 on aggregate.

"We will have to compete, going to Manchester against a really top rival and a historic side which has grown a lot with the arrival of (Erik) Ten Hag," said Barcelona manager Xavi after the draw.

"[United have] great individual players and it is the toughest rival once again in the Europa League.

"We will have time to analyse it, they are a strong team in both defence and attack, not just for Cristiano Ronaldo, but other players [too].

"Manchester United are a historic club and they also need to win. Two big teams and it's going to be a massive task."

Jose Mourinho's AS Roma will face RB Salzburg whilst former Italian champions Juventus will face FC Nantes

Bundesliga high-flyers Union Berlin will face former finalists Ajax. Multiple Europa League winners Sevilla will play PSV Eindhoven

The teams who finished second in their Europa League group were seeded, whilst those dropping down having finished third in their Champions League group were unseeded.

The first-leg play-off matches will be played on February 16; the second legs will be played on February 23. The draw for the last 16 will be on February 24. The final will take place on May 31 2023 at Budapest's Puskas Arena.

And as a reminder, there are no longer any away goals.