Barcelona and Manchester United face off in the first leg of by far the most glamorous Europa League knockout round playoff game this season.

The sides meet as a result of Barca finishing third in their Champions League group behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, while United finished behind Real Sociedad in their Europa League group, meaning both fell into the playoff round.

The game reflects the fall from grace both clubs have suffered in recent years but this season has seen a revival for both domestically under Xavi and Erik ten Hag respectively. Barca are riding high atop of La Liga whilst United sit third in the Premier League and are also in the League Cup final.

Here is everything you need to know as Barcelona take on Manchester United in Europe once again.

When do Barcelona play Manchester United?

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 28: Xavi of FC Barcelona is watched by Paul Scholes of Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC at Wembley Stadium on May 28, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 28: Xavi of FC Barcelona is watched by Paul Scholes of Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC at Wembley Stadium on May 28, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The match takes place on Thursday 16th February with a kick-off time of 17:45 (GMT).

Where will Barcelona vs Manchester United be played?

The match will be played at the Nou Camp, where Barca are undefeated in La Liga this season. They did, however, lose 3-0 to Bayern this season as they went crashing out of the Champions League in abject fashion.

Where can you watch Barcelona vs Manchester United?

The match is live for UK viewers on BT Sport 2 with coverage starting at 17:00 (GMT).

For those viewing on Sky, the channel is 414 and for those on Virgin, the channel is 528.

How can you live stream Barcelona vs Manchester United?

With the match on BT Sport, it will also be available to view on both the BT Sport Player and Sky Go on mobile/computer/tablet.

Of course, you will need a BT subscription for this.

Barcelona vs Manchester United history

MANCHESTER - MARCH 21: Captain Bryan Robson (left) of Manchester United shakes hands with Barcelona captain Diego Maradona before the European Cup Winners Cup Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Manchester United and Barcelona held on March 21, 1984 at Old Trafford, in Manchester, England. Manchester United won the match 3-0, winning the tie 3-2 on aggregate. (Photo by Trevor Jones/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER - MARCH 21: Captain Bryan Robson (left) of Manchester United shakes hands with Barcelona captain Diego Maradona before the European Cup Winners Cup Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Manchester United and Barcelona held on March 21, 1984 at Old Trafford, in Manchester, England. Manchester United won the match 3-0, winning the tie 3-2 on aggregate. (Photo by Trevor Jones/Getty Images)

Two of the three biggest clubs in the world by most accounts, Barcelona and United share a rich history both in terms of games against one another and players/coaches who have represented both clubs.

Only Juventus (14) have played United more in Europe than the Catalans, but these two games will push them clear with 15 games. Of the previous 13, Barcelona hold the advantage with six wins to United’s three. The other four games have been draws, via 11v11.

The first meeting between the sides was in the Cup Winners’ Cup quarter final in 1984, where a Bryan Robson -inspired United came back from a 2-0 first leg deficit to qualify with a 3-0 win at Old Trafford against Diego Maradona’s Barca.

Further meetings took place in the 1994/95 and 1998/99 Champions League group stages, as well as in the 2007/08 semi final and 2018/19 quarter final.

The clubs have played in three European finals, with Barcelona winning the Champions League finals in 2009 and 2011 and United the Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1991.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 25: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson (l) and Barcelona coach Louis Van Gaal chat before the UEFA Champions League match between Barcelona and Manchester United at the Nou Camp in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 25: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson (l) and Barcelona coach Louis Van Gaal chat before the UEFA Champions League match between Barcelona and Manchester United at the Nou Camp in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Alongside Louis van Gaal managing both clubs, 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.

Mark Hughes, Jordi Cruyff (who works for Barca now), Laurent Blanc, Henrik Larsson, Gerard Pique, Victor Valdes, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexis Sanchez and Memphis Depay make up this motley crew. If Erik ten Hag had had his way last summer, Frenkie de Jong would have made for a perfect ten.

Xavi, of course, was a key man in Barca’s 2009 and 2011 wins, and also made his Champions League debut at Old Trafford under van Gaal in 1998.

Last five meetings (all in the Champions League)

  • 16th April, 2019: Barcelona 3-0 Manchester United - Quarter Final second leg
  • 10th April, 2019: Manchester United 0-1 Barcelona - Quarter Final first leg
  • 28th May, 2011: Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United - Final
  • 27th May, 2009: Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United - Final
  • 29th April, 2008: Manchester United 1-0 Barcelona - Semi Final second leg

Barcelona vs Manchester United Team News

Barca are set to be without their captain Sergio Busquets and wideman Ousmane Dembele for at least the first leg but other than that, they have a clean bill of health, via Transfermarkt.

On the other hand, United have several absentees for the trip to the Nou Camp, through both injury and suspension. Anthony Martial, Antony and Scott McTominay are all set to miss out, as well as Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek, who are both out for several months.

Lisandro Martinez and 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.

The return of Casemiro is a major boost for United, with his current suspension for domestic games only. Both he and ex-Real Madrid teammate Raphael Varane will no doubt relish facing off against Barca once again.

Predicted Lineups:

Barcelona Predicted Starting XI: ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; de Jong, Kessie, Pedri; Raphinha, Gavi, Lewandowski

Manchester United Predicted Starting XI: de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia; Casemiro, Fred, Fernandes; Sancho, Rashford, Weghorst

Match prediction:

Ryan Giggs on Messi
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 28: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona (C) is challenged by Ryan Giggs (L) and Michael Carrick of Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC at Wembley Stadium on May 28, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Barcelona 2-1 Manchester United: Given United’s absentees and Barca’s excellent home form, Xavi’s men might just take a slender lead to Old Trafford for the second leg, where it will be all to play for.

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