Xavi believes Erik ten Hag has "changed the face" of Manchester United as they prepare for their Europa League play-off with Barcelona.
La Liga leaders Barcelona are 11 points clear of Real Madrid in second while United are third in the Premier League and only five points behind first-placed Arsenal, who are at home to Manchester City this evening.
United are the only team in Europe competing in four competitions as they face Newcastle in the League Cup final next week and host West Ham in the FA Cup fifth round three days later.
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Barcelona coach Xavi made his European debut against United as an 18-year-old in 1998 and encountered them in the 2008 Champions League semi-finals, while his performances were instrumental as Barcelona outclassed United in the 2009 and 2011 finals.
Ten Hag joined United from Ajax, culturally linked with Barcelona through the pioneering Johan Cruyff, who played for and coached both clubs.
"Tomorrow is a great match," Xavi said. "It's a spectacular tie. Both teams arrived at the best moment of the season.
"Ten Hag has changed the face of the team. It's been hard for them but they're doing a great job. He is a great coach. Reversing the situation at United was not easy.
"He makes variants in attack and defence, they work very well. He is an attacking coach and he shows it in almost every game. He is a reference for coaches who like this kind of football.
"Manchester United is a great club. They are not in the best moment in their history but there are players who are in a great moment. In recent weeks, they have had good results and it will be very hard to win the game."
Marcus Rashford has scored 13 goals in United's last 15 games and is one shy of equalling his season-best tally of 22 in 2019-20. Ten Hag claimed Rashford is currently one of the best goalscorers in Europe and Xavi agrees.
"He's one of the most dangerous forwards in Europe," Xavi acknowledged. "He's fast, he's one-on-one and we'll have to watch him a lot. He's one of the best in Europe, without a doubt.
"We have assessed what they are doing. Rashford, (Alejandro) Garnacho, (Jadon) Sancho and (Wout) Weghorst might be a reference. The transitions are very quick."
Former Leeds winger Raphinha was unfussed when asked whether any of his old teammates had been in touch but was effusive about United's resurgence under Ten Hag.
"I think they are two of the best teams in the world," Raphinha said. "Barca had a bad time in recent seasons and Manchester did too. All clubs go through difficult times, but you have to change your mind to be the best again.
"For me, Manchester is one of the best teams in the world. They lived through a bad moment. They have enormous quality."
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