Erik ten Hag strolled onto the Camp Nou pitch on Wednesday night, gazing around at one, if not the, most iconic stadium in world football.
The Manchester United manager was probably envisioning his side's Europa League play-off tie against Barcelona, as the pair of European heavyweights meet this Thursday for what promises to be an epic first-leg clash. But what Ten Hag might also have been thinking is what could've been?
Long before the 53-year-old put pen to paper on a three-season contract with United, he was coveted across Europe thanks to his acclaimed work at Ajax. Like the Red Devils, Barcelona have spent the past few years spiralling away from success and reportedly considered hiring Ten Hag to replace sacked boss Ronald Koeman in October 2021.
