Manchester United's Europa League play-off tie against Barcelona promises to be a thrilling encounter, even without all the 'little' sub-plots that come with it. The Spanish side won 4-0 on aggregate against United in the Champions League in 2019, and before that, secured a 3-1 victory over them in the 2011 final at Wembley.
With the two teams very rarely coming head-to-head, it is a special encounter whenever they do. Barcelona have already admitted that United was the worst possible draw, and the Reds would probably say the same. The two-legged tie promises to be a spectacle, fitting of a Champions League clash, rather than a Europa League play-off.
Barcelona have been impressive under Xavi since the club's former player took charge, with the Catalan giants - despite failing to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League - starting to look like they can compete with Real Madrid in LaLiga.
ALSO READ: Frenkie de Jong will discover three things when Barcelona face Man United
When the two sides face off in February, Cristiano Ronaldo will once again be in the presence of Xavi - six years after the pair clashed about Lionel Messi and the Ballon d'Or.
In 2016, Ronaldo mocked Xavi for never winning the Ballon d'Or. His comments came after the Spaniard, who was playing for Al Sadd in Qatar at the time, suggested that Ronaldo couldn't come close to matching the achievements of Xavi's former Barcelona teammate Messi.
Speaking to Spanish radio station La SER, the World Cup winner claimed that Ronaldo was unlucky to be playing in the same era as his great rival.
"Only a fool could have played football and not recognise Cristiano is an elite footballer," said Xavi. "But he just has had bad luck to be around at the same time as Leo."
While Ronaldo was keen to stress that he didn't care about Xavi's comments, the Portuguese star still managed to poke fun at the Spaniard about never winning the most prestigious individual accolade.
"I am the most searched-for player on the internet," said Ronaldo. "When players, coaches want to appear on the front pages they talk about Cris, it is normal," he said. "What do I care what Xavi says?
"Xavi plays in Qatar, it doesn't have any relevance. Xavi has won everything, the World Cup, European Championships ... and he has never won the Ballon d'Or."
Ronaldo went on to win the Ballon d'Or in 2016 after winning the Champions League with Madrid and Euros with Portugal, with the frontman scoring 55 goals and registering 16 assists for both club and country.
Now, five years after last winning the Ballon d'Or, the 37-year-old is struggling for form at Old Trafford and looks destined to leave the club in the new year. Ronaldo, who expressed his desire to leave the Reds in the summer, has scored just three goals in all competitions this term and has only started on 10 occasions.
While it has not been the campaign Ronaldo would've been hoping for, his ability to deliver in the big games - for all of the clubs he has played for - could see him have a point to prove against Barcelona in the new year.
Ronaldo has scored 20 times against the Catalan club in his career, also registering three assists. However, nine of his strikes did come from the penalty spot. During his time in Spain, the Portuguese star was on the winning side on 10 occasions and was part of one of the greatest club rivalries in recent years.
The Europa League provides Erik ten Hag with a realistic chance of silverware this season, so the play-off clash against Barcelona is certainly not ideal. If the Reds are to triumph and overcome Xavi's side, they may very well need Ronaldo his channel his inner 2016 mentality to do so.
READ NEXT:
