Jordi Cruyff is relishing a “special” Europa League tie between Barcelona and Manchester United but thinks it is a shame they will not meet later in the competition.

Barca finished behind Bayern Munich and Inter in Champions League Group C, plunging them into the Europa League for a second consecutive season.

Monday's knockout round play-off draw handed the Catalan giants a heavyweight clash with United, which Xavi lamented as the "most difficult" assignment possible.

Blaugrana sporting director Cruyff, who represented both clubs during his playing days, would like such a mouthwatering tie to have taken place in the latter stages of the Europa League.

"I think it's a draw that both teams would have preferred to have further down the line, not so quick, but that's the beauty of football, you never know what's going to come," Cruyff said.

"It came now, and it's probably going to be a tough match for both, but also very special as these are two historic football clubs.

"Barcelona is a club where the pressure is always at the max, everything you start, you always need to win. That's the pressure that these sorts of clubs have, the same that United will have. 

"For us, it's a motivation and the fact that we get a team like this so quickly means that this competition isn't easy at all. It's difficult, but you know that we're motivated."

Barca have fond memories of their recent fixtures against United, having beaten the Red Devils in four successive meetings – including Champions League final triumphs in 2009 and 2011.

Jordi Cruyff is relishing a “special” Europa League tie between Barcelona and Manchester United but thinks it is a shame they will not meet later in the competition.

Barca finished behind Bayern Munich and Inter in Champions League Group C, plunging them into the Europa League for a second consecutive season.

Monday's knockout round play-off draw handed the Catalan giants a heavyweight clash with United, which Xavi lamented as the "most difficult" assignment possible.

Blaugrana sporting director Cruyff, who represented both clubs during his playing days, would like such a mouthwatering tie to have taken place in the latter stages of the Europa League.

"I think it's a draw that both teams would have preferred to have further down the line, not so quick, but that's the beauty of football, you never know what's going to come," Cruyff said.

"It came now, and it's probably going to be a tough match for both, but also very special as these are two historic football clubs.

"Barcelona is a club where the pressure is always at the max, everything you start, you always need to win. That's the pressure that these sorts of clubs have, the same that United will have. 

"For us, it's a motivation and the fact that we get a team like this so quickly means that this competition isn't easy at all. It's difficult, but you know that we're motivated."

Barca have fond memories of their recent fixtures against United, having beaten the Red Devils in four successive meetings – including Champions League final triumphs in 2009 and 2011.

Xavi said Barcelona had been handed the toughest possible draw after they were paired with Manchester United in the Europa League's knockout round play-offs.

Barca will compete in the Europa League after the turn of the year as a result of their failure to advance from a Champions League group containing Bayern Munich and Inter.

The Blaugrana have now suffered successive group-stage eliminations from the Champions League for just the second time, having also done so under Louis van Gaal in the 1997-98 and 1998-99 campaigns.

Barca were beaten by eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt in the last eight of the Europa League last term, and Xavi said they had been unfortunate once again following Monday's draw. 

"We will have to compete, going to Manchester against a really tough rival," Xavi said ahead of Tuesday's trip to Osasuna in LaLiga.

"It's a historic rival that has grown a lot with the arrival of Erik ten Hag, with great individual players. We have been given the most difficult rival, yet again, in the Europa League.

"There is always a rival who also has the obligation to win, like ourselves. To compete, we have to analyse Manchester. We will try, this club has never won the Europa League.

"It's a massive challenge for us, our players will probably be more motivated against a strong team."

Barca's next European tie will see them reunited with their old foe Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 20 goals in 34 games against the Blaugrana, netting against them in LaLiga (nine), the Champions League (two), the Copa del Rey (five) and the Supercopa de Espana (four).

Xavi refuted suggestions the United striker is in decline despite his struggles this season, adding: "He seems to me to be a great player who has marked an era, and he can still make a difference.

"I like to win, I hate to lose, whoever is in front of me. I want to win and be competitive."

Barca have won their last four games against United, including Champions League finals in 2009 and 2011, having won just one of the sides' previous eight meetings in European competitions (D4 L3).

Barcelona will face Manchester United in their return to the Europa League after the Blaugrana were drawn against the Premier League club in the knockout round play-offs.

Xavi's side dropped into Europe's second-tier competition for the second season running after failing to progress from the Champions League group stages, finishing behind Bayern Munich and Inter.

It sets up the outstanding tie with Erik ten Hag's United, who are looking to end a trophy drought stretching back to when they last won the Europa League under Jose Mourinho in 2017.

United came second to Real Sociedad in the Europa League group stage, ultimately missing out to La Real by one goal.

They have paid the price for their failure in that regard, with Barca arguably the toughest draw they could possibly get and La Real already through to the competition's last 16.

Joining Barca in dropping down from the Champions League are Juventus, though they will likely be much more content with their draw after being paired with Ligue 1 side Nantes.

Europa League knockout round play-offs:

Barcelona v Manchester United
Juventus v Nantes
Sporting CP v Midtjylland
Shakhtar Donetsk v Rennes
Ajax v Union Berlin
Bayer Leverkusen v Monaco
Sevilla v PSV
Salzburg v Roma

Erik ten Hag acknowledges Donny van de Beek must improve in order to be a success at Manchester United, but is refusing to give up on the midfielder.

Having impressed in an advanced role for Ten Hag's Ajax team, Van de Beek moved to Old Trafford for an initial fee of £35million in 2020, but has since struggled for consistent game-time.

Van de Beek made 27 Premier League appearances across his first two campaigns with United, and has only played 19 minutes in the competition this season after enduring an equally frustrating loan spell at Everton earlier in 2022.

Those struggles have seen Van de Beek lose his place in the Netherlands' squad ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, but Ten Hag – who started the midfielder in Thursday's Europa League win at Real Sociedad – believes the 25-year-old can change his fortunes. 

Asked on Thursday whether there would be a point at which United accepted Van de Beek's move had not worked out, Ten Hag replied: "Yes. Not now. 

"I think he had quite a good pre-season. He was injured, now he's back. Last week [against Sheriff in the Europa League] I think he played very well, and today I think it was a decent performance.

"I know he can do better as I know him very well. He acted and delivered what I expect in terms of positioning, pressing, transition and accuracy. 

"I think he can be more of a threat to the opponents' goal, that's his biggest quality. In the time I am here, he is performing well in the game-time we gave him."

Mikel Arteta lamented Arsenal making the closing stages "difficult" in the 1-0 win over Zurich that sealed Europa League Group A top spot on Thursday.

The Gunners registered their ninth home win in as many games across all competitions this season, their longest such run at the start of a campaign since 2009-10 (11), after Kieran Tierney's first-half winner.

Arsenal also kept a clean sheet in all three of their home group games in Europe for the first time since the 2008-09 Champions League, owing to a resolute defensive performance at Emirates Stadium.

Arteta suggested his side were at fault in the latter parts of the game, though, bemoaning the hosts for inviting pressure on themselves as Adria Guerrero saw a second-half equaliser disallowed.

"We always try to start faster. We have an opponent that has something to say in the game," the Arsenal manager said. "We made the game difficult in the last 15, 20 minutes."

Arsenal will take the positives from topping their Europa League group for a fifth time in as many attempts, with no side topping a pool more often since the rebranding of the competition in 2009-10.

But a second-half injury to Takehiro Tomiyasu somewhat marred the win, leaving the full-back as a potential doubt for the World Cup with Japan, who start their campaign against Germany in 20 days.

"He felt something," Arteta said of the Japan international's injury, though he refused to give a timescale on his return as he added: "We don't know yet.

"We have Chelsea at the weekend, that's my focus."

Tierney's sumptuous first-half strike was his third in the Europa League (two for Arsenal, one for Celtic), with only Kris Commons (six) netting more among Scottish players in the competition since 2009-10.

The left-back has had to play an understudy role to Tomiyasu for large parts of the season but insisted his performance levels will not drop, whether in the starting XI or not.

"We wanted to get the game done by 60-70 minutes and score a couple of goals, but we never did that," he told BT Sport. 

"I thought we saw the game out. They put a lot of pressure on us but we saw it out well. We had to show fight and hunger because they came here with so much of that.

"We knew they would. Their last couple of results have been good so they have grown in confidence. We dealt quite well, it's just a pity we couldn't score a couple more.

"We won 5-0 a few days ago so it's not like this [struggling for a second goal] happens all the time. Teams win 1-0. As long as we get a clean sheet we are confident we will score.

"I want to play every game I can. I have to keep working hard. The manager knows I will give 100 per cent whether I start or not."

Bruno Fernandes credited Alejandro Garnacho for improving his previously poor attitude after the teenager marked a rare Manchester United start with the winner against Real Sociedad.

Garnacho was named United's under-18 Player of the Year last season but has largely remained on the periphery of the first-team squad under Erik ten Hag this campaign.

The teenager proved his worth on Thursday, though, scoring his first senior goal for United with a first-half strike in a 1-0 win at La Real in the Europa League.

While the 18-year-old will hope to feature more for Ten Hag at Old Trafford now, Fernandes says he must continue with a much-improved attitude after failing to impress in pre-season with the senior side.

"He was good but he knows we expect at lot from him. He's still really young. He's doing really well," the Portugal international told BT Sport.

"At the beginning of the season, not at his best, in the tour he didn't have the best attitude that he should have and that's why he didn't get his chances until now.

"Now he's getting chances because he's training better, he's having a better attitude and he deserves his chances."

Garnacho's strike may earn him a share of the plaudits but United still had to settle for second in Group E after Imanol Alguacil's side topped the pool by virtue of a better head-to-head record.

Juventus and Barcelona, both sides to be eliminated from the Champions League, could await United in the Europa League's knockout play-off round, with the draw set to take place on Monday.

Despite not progressing as winners of the group after failing to secure the two-goal win that was required, Fernandes believes the victory will offer Ten Hag's side encouragement.

"Obviously, we knew that we needed a two-goal difference to go through at the top of the group, but it was not possible," he added. 

"But we won the game, we keep the momentum, we didn't concede a goal once again, so we have to keep the positives of this game, and there are many positives – much more than negatives. 

"So it's just [about] keeping the momentum on Sunday [when United visit Aston Villa in the Premier League]."

Kieran Tierney's excellent strike was enough to see Arsenal seal top spot in Europa League Group A after a 1-0 home victory over Zurich on Thursday.

Mikel Arteta's side disappointed in their last European outing with a 2-0 loss at PSV but responded with a much-improved performance to ensure they bypassed the competition's knockout-round play-offs.

Tierney scored what proved to be the winner with a thumping first-half effort at Emirates Stadium, where Adria Guerrero saw a second-half equaliser disallowed in an otherwise dominant Arsenal showing.

Arsenal will avoid the likes of Barcelona and Juventus in Monday's draw after topping the group, in which PSV came second, while Bo Henriksen's side were eliminated from Europe after finishing bottom.

Zurich were without a win in five away matches against English sides in Europe but started in encouraging fashion with Lindrit Kamberi blasting a presentable opening off target.

Arsenal struck first after 17 minutes, though, as Tierney latched onto a loose ball to fire a left-footed half-volley from outside the area into the bottom-right corner.

Yanick Brecher denied Eddie Nketiah's header from Fabio Vieira's corner as Arsenal attempted to capitalise on the impetus from Tierney's opener.

Gabriel Jesus inexplicably smashed over after the interval before Guerrero finished past Aaron Ramsdale on the rebound, only to see the offside flag deny him an equaliser and Zurich a share of the points.

What does it mean? European home comforts continue for in-form Arsenal

Premier League leaders Arsenal have made their north London home ground somewhat of a fortress in domestic outings, and the same can be said for their performances in Europe.

The Gunners have lost just one of their last 20 group games at home in major European competition, winning six such matches in a row, as their blistering start to the season continued.

While tougher tasks will follow at Chelsea on Sunday and in the latter stages of the Europa League's knockout rounds, Arteta's side continue to impress both domestically and on the continent.

Vivacious Vieira

Vieira has had to wait patiently for his chance at Arsenal after his move from Porto in the last transfer window, but proved his worth with an excellent performance here.

The 22-year-old, usually a deputy to Martin Odegaard, appeared to be everywhere on the pitch as he created a game-leading four chances in an encouraging attacking display.

Under-par Rohner

Fabian Rohner endured a game to forget up against the astute defensive pairing of Rob Holding and Gabriel Magalhaes.

The Zurich striker managed just eight touches and one successful pass – both lows among starters before his half-time removal – and won just one of his three duels.

What's next?

Arsenal head to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in a crunch Premier League clash, while Zurich visit Lugano in the Swiss Super League on Sunday.

Erik ten Hag admits Manchester United were left "disappointed" after failing to top their Europa League group, despite a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad on Thursday.

A triumph by two or more goals would have seen United advance as Group E winners by virtue of a superior head-to-head record over La Real.

Alejandro Garnacho's 17th-minute goal gave United hope, but that proved to be their only shot on target during a lacklustre display at the Reale Arena.

Ten Hag, whose side subsequently face a play-off against one of the teams knocked out of the Champions League, told BT Sport: "You do not always get what you deserve. 

"Of course, we are disappointed we didn't score two goals because that's what we needed. We want always to be number one, and when we aren't, we are disappointed."

Ten Hag took some positives out the game, highlighting the display of Garnacho after the 18-year-old became United's youngest non-English goalscorer in major European competition, taking the record from club legend George Best.

"Today, we win, and I am happy with that, and some other things like the performance of Alejandro Garnacho," the Dutchman added.

"We had problems there [on the wing]. Antony was out, and Jadon Sancho was not available. I really hope he can keep the process going. He was a threat. If he can keep this going, I am really happy."

Alejandro Garnacho's strike to give Manchester United a 1-0 Europa League victory over Real Sociedad on Thursday was in vain as the Spanish side retained Group E's top spot.

A win by two or more goals would have seen United through as group winners by virtue of a superior head-to-head record, and Garnacho's early finish sparked hopes of Erik ten Hag's side achieving just that.

But a resolute defensive display from La Real saw them do enough to prevent United getting a second, despite coming under increasing pressure late on.

Ten Hag's men advance but will be forced into a two-legged play-off with one of the teams knocked out of the Champions League, a list that includes Barcelona and Juventus.

La Real started brighter but United grew into the game and took the lead after 17 minutes, Garnacho latching onto Cristiano Ronaldo's throughball and holding off a defender before rifling home from a tight angle.

David de Gea made a stunning double save to preserve United's lead before the break, tipping Andoni Gorosabel's long-range strike wide at full stretch before somehow blocking Pablo Marin's shot from the rebound over.

United still required another goal, but La Real threatened at the other end 16 minutes from time, with substitute Ander Guevara forcing a smart save from De Gea with his low drive.

La Real continued to defend resiliently and limited United to few chances, ultimately seeing out the game to secure top spot and their place in the round of 16, while the Red Devils will face a nervy play-off.

Massimiliano Allegri has urged Juventus to use anger at their Champions League failure as motivation to succeed in the Europa League.

A 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Turin saw Juve become only the second Italian side to lose five of six group stage matches in the competition, after Roma in 2004-05 – though their elimination had already been confirmed.

Juve required a victory to cement their spot in the knockout stages of the Europa League but ultimately must be thankful to Benfica for firing five second-half goals against Maccabi Haifa to prevent the Allegri's side from exiting continental football entirely.

In the Europa League, Juve will be considered to be among the favourites to go all the way and Allegri has urged his side to use their anger to propel them to better results in UEFA's second-tier club competition.

"We played a good game, it's a shame about the result," he told reporters after the defeat.

"We are in the Europa League, from tomorrow we must turn the page for the championship. We must be angry and immediately resume work and walk.

"On one hand there is reason to be satisfied to have reached the Europa League, on the other hand there is anger for the elimination from the Champions League.

"I'm still very angry and we have to carry this anger inside us in the next games in Europe."

One positive from the defeat to PSG was the return of Federico Chiesa from injury, who had not featured since January, though his recovery will not be rushed.

"He has a lot of desire, he must be managed until the World Cup. We have to take time to have him in the best condition in January," Allegri added.

Erik ten Hag's obsession with success has both surprised and impressed Manchester United midfielder Casemiro.

The Brazil international moved to United from Real Madrid as part of Ten Hag's spending spree heading into his first season Old Trafford, joining compatriot Antony in making the move to England.

Casemiro has made an impression at United already, and the same is the case for the 30-year-old when it comes to the former Ajax coach.

A mainstay of Madrid's midfield for much of the last decade, Casemiro has won the Champions League five times and LaLiga on three occasions, but acknowledged he has been taken aback by Ten Hag's will to win.

"After being in football for quite a while even though I'm only 30, his obsession for winning is what surprised me the most," he said in a press conference ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash against Real Sociedad.

"I think he's got many strengths, we all know it's a process and we're growing together. We want to win and he is obsessed with teaching us and making us better to the millimetre.

"That obsession with winning is something I've only seen with very few managers."

Ten Hag was equally positive about Casemiro's growing impact at United.

"He told me he needs a new challenge because at Real Madrid he won everything," he said.

"He was a big part at Real Madrid and they didn't want him to go but he had the feeling 'I have to go to another club, another league to prove myself and that shows his hunger. I really like that.

"From the first day he has come with that attitude in every training, every match and I really like it. He will be more and more important to our team."

Casemiro is set to be a key figure for Brazil at the upcoming World Cup, though he is putting any thought of the tournament to one side for now.

"This game is too important to start thinking about the World Cup," Casemiro said when asked if he was concerned about sustaining an injury prior to travelling to Qatar with his national team.

"I think any player who thinks like that will pick up an injury at the end. I'm focussing on the game."

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says his side "have a plan" to secure the margin of victory they need against Real Sociedad to top their Europa League group.

While a spot in the knockout stages of the competition has already been secured, United need to win by a two-goal margin to finish as Group E winners – which comes with the added benefit of avoiding a two-legged play-off against one of the eight teams to drop out of the Champions League.

Instead, group winners will resume their involvement in the Europa League from the round of 16, which would prove a valuable boost not only due to ensuring United would be a step closer to the final, but also in light of the hectic fixture schedule caused by the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

Securing such a win is the clear target for Ten Hag and his side, who lost the reverse fixture in the opening match of the group stage.

"Obviously, it's important. We can win tomorrow night. We know what we have to do - win by a two-goal margin," he said in Wednesday's press conference.

"But if you want to win the trophy you have to win all the games, so we have to win every one.

"It's six weeks ago or so and it's a different team, not all the players then are fit. We're growing, developing, making good progress.

"We know it's difficult to win games here but we like the challenge. We know we have to win by two goals, we have a plan for that and we will do everything to get it done.

"I don't think you speak about how far you come. You can't win anything at this moment, it's game by game and we have to win every game."

While United have lost their last two matches against Spanish opponents, against Atletico Madrid in last season's Champions League and La Real earlier this campaign, they have won six of their last seven away games in the Europa League, scoring 19 goals at an average of 2.7 per game.

La Real, on the other hand, have won their last two Europa League home matches, as many wins as in their previous 10 such games in the competition (D4 L4). They last won three consecutive home fixtures in a single season in major European competitions in the 1998-99 UEFA Cup.

United will be depleted for Thursday's game, with Antony, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial all unavailable, though the trio could well be back soon.

"Jadon was ill, Martial is still in rehab. He did train this morning so we're going in the right direction," Ten Hag added.

Bukayo Saka has returned to training with Arsenal, easing fears regarding his chances of featuring for England at the World Cup.

Saka was forced off in the 27th minute of Sunday's 5-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest following a heavy challenge from Renan Lodi, having assisted Gabriel Martinelli's opener.

The youngster's injury led to fears he might not be fit to feature in Gareth Southgate's squad for Qatar, but on Wednesday, Mikel Arteta confirmed Saka had overcome the problem.

With Arsenal looking to top their Europa League group by beating Zurich, Saka has joined Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mohamed Elneny in making a return to training.

"They are in different stages, obviously. Mo had a long-term injury but has recovered in a really good way and has been training with the team for a week or two," Arteta said in a press conference.

"Oleks' [return] was very recent, and he trained in just two sessions, and Bukayo just missed one or two and was fine today."

Arteta was asked whether Saka wanted to play on after suffering the injury, and stressed the importance of making a rapid decision in such situations. 

"We're using our brains and our common sense, but obviously he had a kick and wasn't comfortable," Arteta added. 

"We made a decision to get him off, and now he's feeling fine. We'll assess each individual as it comes.

"We had to make a decision and we couldn't delay a situation like that, because every minute that a player is not 100 per cent to play, it's costing the team. We have to make those decisions quickly."

Asked whether officials offer enough protection to players like Saka, the Gunners boss added: "I'm sure the referees have looked at all the incidents, all the fouls, the number of fouls our front players are getting, and it's their job to manage that situation in the best possible way."

Mikel Arteta insists he is "extremely happy and proud" to lead Arsenal despite reports linking him with Barcelona as he praised Xavi's "phenomenal" work at Camp Nou.

Arsenal have won 10 of their 12 Premier League games this season to lead Manchester City by two points at the summit, and they will top their Europa League group if they beat Zurich on Thursday. 

The Gunners' excellent form has seen Arteta linked with a move to Barcelona, where Xavi is facing mounting pressure after failing to lead the Blaugrana to the Champions League's last 16.

However, Arteta remains fully focused on his current role, saying: "What I can say is I am extremely proud and happy to be where I am now. I think Barcelona are on a really good path now.

"I think they have a phenomenal coach, a coach who has been an absolute legend at that club and has lifted the whole place, and you have to be very respectful of that."

Despite Arsenal's strong results, some onlookers have expressed worries about the form of Gabriel Jesus, who has not scored since a 3-1 derby win over Tottenham at the start of last month.

However, Jesus claimed two assists in Sunday's 5-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest, as well as playing a key role in the first of Reiss Nelson's two goals, and Arteta sees no cause for concern.

"If he makes three assists in a game, I don't think he has to make many adjustments," Arteta said. "I will be really happy if he is able to do that every game."

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