Ahead of this mammoth fixture in the Europa League we look at the best available combined 11 from the two sides for tonight.
The sides meet at the Camp Nou for the first leg of their Europa League play-off, as they both seek a place in the last 16. They both enter the game having had strong opening halves to their domestic league campaigns.
Barcelona top La Liga, with an eight-point cushion over Real Madrid. Man United meanwhile are third in the Premier League, five points behind table-topping, Manchester City.
Here's our selection of those players available to play in the first leg from both sides ...
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Goalkeeper - Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona)
A difficult choice to start the team with, but it is impossible to leave out a goalkeeper who this season, has only conceded once every three hours, in La Liga.
Although De Gea is an exceptional shot-stopper, Ter Stegen is more well-rounded for a ‘modern goalkeeper’, with a better range of passing- a crucial attribute of a Xavi side.
Neither goalkeeper is as accomplished as a sweeper, but Ter Stegen is marginally better than De Gea.
Right back - Jules Kounde (Barcelona)
A simple choice. Since the French defender joined Barcelona for €50million last summer, he has been key to Xavi’s style of play.
He is world-class in possession, with a pass completion percentage of 88 per cent, continually looking to play forwards, as he averages more than six progressive passes, per game.
There is a perception of Kounde being small for a defender at 5 foot 11, but he is effective in the air, although his role principally involves inverting into midfield.
Centre back - Raphael Varane (Manchester United)
The former Real Madrid centre-back is familiar with the Camp Nou from his time in Spain, losing only three times in his ten appearances at Camp Nou.
He struggled with injuries in his first season at Old Trafford, but this year has showcased his expert defending, often appearing effortless in the way he averts danger.
Although limited in progressing possession, he has a pass completion rate of almost 88pc and rarely makes errors leading to goals.
Centre back - Ronald Araujo (Barcelona)
The Uruguayan has developed into one of the best defenders in the world and it is unsurprising Barcelona conceded three goals at home to both Inter Milan and Bayern Munich in his absence. However, with Araujo on the pitch in La Liga, Barcelona have conceded just twice in 950 minutes.
There is good reason for this. He is an exceptional defender and loses just 0.11 challenges per 90 minutes. When he then gets on the ball, he is an effective progressive centre-back.
Left back - Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
He will likely play centre-back for United tonight, but is an orthodox left-back and has been one of United’s best players this season.
He is defensively solid, highly effective at blocking and rarely beaten, losing just 0.22 challenges per 90 and tackling 80pc of dribblers.
In possession, he is world-class. Both his range of passing and ball-carrying, with his athleticism and strength meaning he is rarely shrugged off the ball. His crossing is consistently high-quality.
Central midfield - Casemiro (Manchester United)
Another former Madridista returning to Camp Nou, Casemiro lost just once on 10 visits to the ground.
Casemiro has transformed this United side. He is one of the best in the world defensively, across all metrics and his composure on the ball, is the antithesis of his likely midfield companion tonight, Fred.
Having been suspended for the previous two league games, his return to the side will be crucial if United are to get a result.
Central midfield - Pedri (Barcelona)
The 20-year-old has become one of the best players midfield in the world since he joined from Las Palmas in 2020, winning the Golden Boy award in 2021.
Although not from La Masia, he is built in the Barcelona mould with his comfort in possession, whilst retaining a goal threat, with six goals so far in La Liga this season.
Him and Gavi have already had pundits drawing comparisons between them and the legendary duo of Xavi and Iniesta.
Attacking midfield - Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Bruno Fernandes is one of the best chance creators in Europe. Although he can lack composure in possession, he possesses the quality to break down defences.
He also provides defensive work rate, averaging two tackles a game and rarely being outrun by his United compatriots.
Fernandes has also become the de facto captain, (due to the reduced role of Maguire) growing into this role over the course of the season.
Left wing - Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
One of Europe’s in-form attackers, with 13 goals for United since the World Cup, bringing his tally to 21 goals for the season.
A direct pacy forward, he has scored a greater variety of goals this season, with two headers against Leeds last week, a testament to the work of Rashford and Benni McCarthy.
His confidence is rightly off the charts at the moment and it is showing in the skills and goalscoring in recent weeks
Right wing - Raphinha (Barcelona)
Although eight direct goal involvements in 20 La Liga games is not exceptional, he provides good balance to this Barcelona side. He picks up good advanced positions, averaging nearly 12 progressive passes received per 90.
He is far from a luxury player for Barcelona either, working back to provide defensive support, crucial for when Kounde inverts into midfield.
Centre forward - Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
The 34-year-old has 23 goals in 27 games this season for Barcelona, since his summer move from Bayern Munich. He is one of the best goalscorers of this generation, with 0.77 non-penalty goals per 90.
At 6ft 1in, he can also provide a physical presence if Barcelona do want to change their style of play and go direct.
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