Xavi issues verdicts on Marcus Rashford and Erik ten Hag ahead of Barcelona vs Man Utd

Xavi Hernandez has praised Marcus Rashford and Erik ten Hag ahead of Barcelona’s Europa League clash with Manchester United on Thursday night.

United head to Camp Nou on Thursday night for their Europa League play-off round first leg, and a tough task awaits them. Barca are currently comfortably top of La Liga, and they have won their last 11 games across all competitions. Xavi has installed a dangerous style of play at Camp Nou, and Barca look to be back on their way to the top.

At Old Trafford, United are hoping to be on a similar trajectory under Ten Hag, but they are earlier in the process, with the Dutchman only arriving in the summer. Still, there have been real signs of growth for the Red Devils, and Xavi is impressed by what Ten Hag has managed to do so far.

Asked how he sees Ten Hag, Xavi said: “As a great coach. He has changed the situation at United, and what he has done is not easy. He is a reference for attacking coaches.” Xavi was also asked whether he thought United were a Champions League-calibre team. He replied: “To say that would be unfair, because neither us nor them have won to be able to be in the Champions League. But it’s true that they have grown and they are very strong. It was time for United to be seen like that (again). At a high level.”

Marcus Rashford has been one of United’s most in-form players so far this season, scoring 21 times already this season, and Xavi is impressed. “He is one of the most in-form players in Europe, and one of the most dangerous,” added the Barca boss. “He is very good in transition and and with good dribbling.”

Asked how he planned to deal with Rashford, Xavi said: “I’m not going to reveal these things. We don’t just look at one United player. It’s true that they have very quick transitions. With (Alejandro) Garnacho, with Rashford, with (Jadon) Sancho. And this is what we have to watch out for.”