Andreas Christensen has praised Erik ten Hag and Marcus Rashford ahead of Barcelona’s Europa League clash with Manchester United.
Barcelona meet Manchester United in the Europa League’s first knockout round on Thursday, in a mouthwatering clash between two clubs with rich European history, boasting eight Champions League titles between them.
Both sides enter the fixture in fine form domestically, with United having won 12 of their 15 games in all competitions since the season’s restart. Marcus Rashford has been in sensational goalscoring form for the Red Devils and has 13 goals and five assists since returning from the World Cup.
Christensen – who signed for Barcelona from Chelsea last summer – has praised the in-form forward and United’s progress this season under Erik ten Hag.
“Rashford is going through a great moment of form,” he told Marca. “I like his style. He is direct, risky and very powerful. He is a player with a lot of energy.
“Ten Hag has taken Manchester United to another level. It will be a difficult game, but we are also in a very good state of form. It will be a great clash.”
The first leg of the tie will take place at the Camp Nou on Thursday and Christensen says it is important that Barcelona earn a positive result on home soil ahead of a ‘difficult’ away leg next week.
“It’s important to win at home, it would be a strong way to start. It’s very difficult to win at Old Trafford.”
Barcelona have impressed under Xavi this season and are 12 unbeaten in La Liga. That run has moved the Catalans to the top of the division, 11 points clear of Real Madrid.
“I think we are on the right track,” he said. “If we continue along this line, it is possible that we can win more titles.”
