Graeme Souness believes Manchester United will find it tough against Barcelona in their Europa League knockout play-off tie, following Monday’s draw.
The two clubs will meet in the competition for the first time after United finished second in their group and Barcelona dropped down from the Champions League. It’s the second time the Spaniards have been relegated to the Europa League in as many seasons.
Despite their underwhelming European exploits this season, Barcelona came out of the weekend top of La Liga. And Souness believes Xavi’s squad could prove difficult for United, who have lost to their opponents in their last four previous meetings.
READ MORE: Manchester United draw Barcelona in Europa League play-off
Initially reacting to the draw, he said on talkSPORT: “Good luck with that one. I don’t think you could have picked a more difficult one.” He went on to add: “I think [Barcelona] are doing OK.
“I know there’s been recent controversy over [Gerard] Pique and the way he’s been treated coming to the end of his career but I think that Barca are decent at this time.” Pique played his final game for Barcelona in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Almeria.
He tallied an incredible 616 appearances for the club, lifting three Champions Leagues, eight La Ligas and seven Copa del Reys - among many other pieces of silverware - at the Nou Camp. He ends his career as a World Cup winner and Euro 2012 victor after gaining 102 caps for Spain.
However, the fan-appeasement tide at Barcelona had started to turn against him. The 35-year-old was being heavily criticised by some quarters of the support base, who claimed he had lost his touch and had contributed to the club’s recent demise.
Pique’s retirement will mean he will not get the chance to return to Old Trafford, having played for United between 2004 and 2008, which included a loan spell at Real Zaragoza in the 2006/07 season. He won a Premier League, League Cup and Champions League during his time with the Reds before heading back to Barcelona.
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