Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has explained why getting Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League was the worst possible draw.
United have drawn Barcelona in their playoff tie after the Catalan giants failed to progress from the UEFA Champions League group stage for the second season running.
Following their disappointing early exit from the UCL, Xavi claimed that his side had the "worst group in years" after being placed in the same one as Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Viktoria Plzen.
However, the Spanish coach did admit that his team were not good enough to stay in the tournament.
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After Monday's draw, Xavi was asked about his thoughts on their next opponents and gave a rather unexpected response.
"The draw has given us the most difficult rival again, like in the Champions League group stage', he said.
"Luck was not on our side. Manchester United are a great rival, a historic club... the worst that we could wish for.
"They have great individualities, but I'd highlight the group they have. We'll prepare well, analyse the opponent as we have to.
"It's not just Cristiano [Ronaldo], we are going to face a team that has grown a lot under [Erik] ten Hag and we'll have to challenge them on the pitch.
"[They are a] big historic club, they will have the same urgency to win as us."
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The first leg of the play-off between the two European sides will take place on 16 February 2023, while the second leg will be played a week later on 23 February and United will be at home at Old Trafford for that clash.
There is immense history between United and Barcelona as they previously played each other in multiple European finals but the two teams were also involved in a lengthy transfer saga over Frenkie de Jong.
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