Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United and Barcelona are heading ‘in the right direction’ ahead of the pair’s Europa League meeting.
The pair meet in the Europa League knockout stages at the Camp Nou this evening after United finished second in their group, while Barcelona dropped down into the second tier of European football after they finished third behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in their Champions League group.
Domestically, Barcelona are having a fantastic season, sitting eight points clear at the top of La Liga, while Manchester United have won 12 of their last 15 games in all competitions and are five points off the top of the Premier League.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting, Erik Ten Hag thinks both clubs are on the right track following their recent struggles.
“Yeah, I think we are both in the right direction but you are right, I think everyone has to see that as well,” he told manutd.com.
“When you are playing in the Europa League, that is not the place we want to be. These clubs, Barcelona and Manchester United, they belong in the Champions League. But you have to earn it, so we have to work hard. I think we are in both the right direction but we are very strong, both clubs.”
United go into the game with a number of injuries and suspensions, with Antony, Anthony Martial, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay out through injury, while Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer are both suspended.
“We are playing in four [competitions],” he said. “The only [club doing so] in Europe. So the suspensions, injuries will come up and you have to deal with it. Therefore, you have a squad and I am sure [against Barcelona] we have a good team on the pitch.”
