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Football London
Football London
Sport
Lewis Pangratiou

Arsenal fans ecstatic as Barcelona vs Man Utd play-off opens up route to Europa League final

Manchester United will meet Barcelona in the knockout round play-off stage of the Europa League. It comes after the Red Devils failed to win Group E - with Real Sociedad edging top spot - whilst Barca dropped down to the competition after finishing third in their Champions League group.

There is an incredible amount of history between the two sides in European competition dating back to their European Cup Winners' Cup tie in 1984. United reached their third Champions League final by beating Barca 1-0 at Old Trafford in 2008 but, under the tutelage of now Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, Barca outclassed United in the 2009 and 2011 finals.

Most recently, United were defeated 4-0 on aggregate by Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2019.

READ MORE: Richard Keys continues Mikel Arteta criticism after touchline antics during Chelsea vs Arsenal

It seems as though the mighty have fallen, though, as the two will now face each other in the Round of 32 in the Europa League rather than Europe's most elite competition.

It's good news for Arsenal fans, too. The two European giants are among the favourites to win the Europa League, so having one of them eliminated bodes well for the Gunners, who are automatically through to the Round of 16 after topping Group A.

Gunners supporters have even reacted to the news and have expressed their delight. Take a look at some of what's been said on Twitter below.

@Jimmy___87 said: "YESSSSSSS."

@C_J6_AFC said: "United or Barca getting knocked out early."

@Ali25118436 said: "It’s looking good bruv."

@itsnotthegenie said: "SIUUUU."

@WelBeast said: "You're getting cooked by Xavi ball."

@chiroboi said: "Good thing Arsenal avoided that playoff round. Some tricky match ups popping up, including united vs Barca."

@SeniorNdwaru said: "Man United fans focused on Arsenal all along and forgot the importance of winning their #UEFAEuropaLeague group. Now they have drawn Barca and are all over shouting it's rigged."

READ NEXT:

Europa League draw recap: Why Arsenal are absent, Barcelona vs Man Utd, Juventus vs FC Nantes

Arsenal's next four fixtures compared to Manchester City, Tottenham and Newcastle

UEFA Europa League draw in full as Man United learn fate and Arsenal path to final takes shape

Why Arsenal are not in the UEFA Europa League draw as Man Utd learn knockout opponents

Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Chelsea reaction, 10-year record broken, Tielemans praise

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