Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has outlined what makes Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford “very, very dangerous” as his side devise a plan to combat the striker’s threat.
Rashford broke the deadlock as United secured a two-goal victory at Leeds on Sunday as he headed home from Luke Shaw ’s cross before substitute Alejandro Garnacho wrapped up the points with a fine run and strike five minutes later.
The England international’s header against Leeds was his 21st goal of the campaign – just one shy of his personal best. Rashford has established himself as the star attacker in United’s side and is arguably the most in-form player in the Premier League.
Barcelona host United in the first leg of their Europa League knockout tie on Thursday evening at the Camp Nou. A report in Diario AS claims Barca will play central defender Ronald Arajuo at right-back to combat the threat of Rashford, in a similar ploy to how they tried to contain Real Madrid ’s Vinicius Junior in El Clasico matches.
Xavi spoke of Rashford’s threat at his press conference ahead of the match at the Camp Nou: "In the transition he is very, very dangerous so, yes, we need to take care of all of them but especially Rashford.
"He's one of the most dangerous players now in Europe, yeah. He's very fast, he has a very good at dribbling in one-versus-one."
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Xavi was also full of praise for his United counterpart Erik ten Hag. United are into the final of the EFL Cup – as they look to end their six-year drought for silverware – alongside reaching the Fifth Round of the FA Cup. They are the only European club who are still competing on four fronts this season.
Ten Hag won six trophies during his time at the helm of Ajax, including three Eredivisie titles, and is now aiming to win United’s first trophy since 2017. He has won 26 of his 36 matches at the helm so far, a win percentage rate of 72.2.
"Ten Hag is a great coach," Xavi added. "In my mind I believe that somehow [reversing] the situation of United was no easy task and he's accomplishing it.
"They are excited again, the club, the fanbase and also the way they play does a lot. He changes things offensively, defensively, everyone's working very well, so it's a tough rival for us and he's a very interesting coach."
