Xavi challenged Barcelona to match "the best [Manchester] United in recent years" on Thursday and show they too are ready to be contenders again.

Barca and United, who drew 2-2 at Camp Nou in last week's first leg, are two of Europe's biggest clubs but are meeting in a Europa League knockout round play-off.

For both, however, there is optimism they may be able to return to former glories in the near future.

United will follow up the match at Old Trafford by playing for their first trophy in six years in the EFL Cup final, while a Premier League title may also yet be within reach.

Barca are eight points clear at the top of LaLiga, meanwhile, but coach Xavi believes their display at United will go a long way to proving their credentials.

"First of all, it's a very difficult match," he said. "At the moment, Manchester United is one of the best teams in Europe, the best United in recent years, and they're showing it.

"It's a good job by [Erik] Ten Hag. They have mentality, rhythm, passion, they showed it at Camp Nou, and we have to match them.

"We have to have personality and a lot of intensity, as well as the mentality of beating a big team in Europe. It's the perfect scene.

"United can say that they are back, but it is the stage to show that Barca can also compete.

"We'll see tomorrow if we've changed [since exiting the Champions League]. We'll see if we're up to the Europa League; we weren't [up to it] in the Champions League.

"We competed very well at home, but we cannot say that we are back, not at the moment. Tomorrow is an opportunity to do it."

Jules Kounde also appeared before the media and was asked if Barca, who lost three Champions League group games but have been beaten only once in LaLiga, feel more pressure playing in Europe.

"Yes," he replied, "but we all like it. It's positive pressure, everyone likes it. I have a lot of confidence in the team."

Xavi is prepared to take on that burden, adding: "I tell them the pressure is for me as a coach.

"I would give anything to play this game. Everyone would want to play in this environment. But I tell them to be calm and control their emotions."

Erik ten Hag is unfazed by crunch clashes early in his Manchester United career, with the Dutchman insistent success must be measured by silverware.

United face Barcelona in the second leg of their Europa League knockout round play-off clash on Thursday, just three days before the EFL Cup final against Newcastle.

Having failed to win a trophy since 2017, Ten Hag has his side fighting on four fronts for success this season.

The ex-Ajax boss welcomes such major matches inside the first year of his tenure at Old Trafford.

"We all want to play big games, big matches," he said. "When we are young, we dream of it. We are now in a position through February [to have] big games coming up.

"We really enjoy it. We are really looking forward to it. We're really excited, and we have to give our best, because we want to match with the best."

Having played out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Barcelona at Camp Nou last week, United's success saw them come close to inflicting only a second home loss of the season upon the Blaugrana.

Asked if he feels his side are getting their dues for their turnaround, however, Ten Hag remained adamant that an improvement in results cannot be the end goal for him at the club.

"It is not about credit, it is about trophies," he added. "We have to keep in the same mindset, every day we want to give a better version of ourselves.

"Tomorrow we have to give the best performance of the season, [and] we [have to] believe in it."

United are set to welcome back Harry Maguire and Antony for the clash, though Anthony Martial is unavailable for the hosts ahead of their trip to Wembley this weekend too.

Barcelona are set to be without several key faces in Pedri and Gavi too, but Ten Hag is not underestimating the visitors despite their absences.

"I don't know what [Barca coach] Xavi is thinking," he said. "Their squad has so much depth that they have players who can replace them.

"Tomorrow, it will be a very good team. If we want to win, we have to be at our best."

Barcelona need no motivation ahead of their Europa League trip to Manchester United, with Xavi believing the chance to win at Old Trafford is enough.

The pair will meet in the second leg of their knockout round play-off fixture, after playing out a pulsating 2-2 draw at Camp Nou last week.

Xavi, who was a member of the Barcelona squad that defeated United in the Champions League final in both 2009 and 2011, is relishing the contest.

In making the trip to England and Old Trafford specifically, Xavi believes it will be more than enough to inspire his players, regardless of the first-leg result.

"I have very good memories of the games I played in England, simply because it is so special to play there," he told the Times. "It is the cradle of football.

"The stadiums, the fans who do not stop cheering, everything has a very special flavour that is not seen anywhere else in the world.

"So imagine, it is such a pleasure for me to go back to Old Trafford, one of the best stadiums and [one of the] biggest teams in the world.

"We are a brave team that likes to attack and always win. [This game] will not be an exception. It's like a big Champions League game.

"For the fans, it's a massively interesting match. For the players, [it is] one of those matches that everyone wants to play at least once in their life."

Barcelona were forced to come from behind to salvage a draw against United, who are a force revived under Erik ten Hag.

United have turned their home ground into a fortress, with no defeats on their own turf since early September.

Xavi is not cowed by their form however, adding: "Fear? Fear of what? On the contrary, Old Trafford motivates [you].

"It is one of those stadiums where you want to play at least once in your life, where you have to get the best out of yourself."

Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has reportedly caught the attention of LaLiga powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Bajcetic, 18, scored his first Premier League goal in a short substitute appearance against Aston Villa on Boxing Day, and after impressing in a pair of January FA Cup starts, he forced his way into the first team.

He has started their past four Premier League fixtures as well as Tuesday's Champions League Final rematch against Madrid, indicating a rapid rise in the eyes of Jurgen Klopp.

The Spaniard left Celta Vigo in 2020 to head to the Premier League, but his home country could soon come calling to bring him back.

TOP STORY – LIVERPOOL TEEN CAPTURES IMAGINATION OF EUROPE'S ELITE

According to Fichajes, both Barcelona and Madrid "have been closely following his evolution", and they believe Bajcetic possesses the qualities necessary to perform at the highest level.

Barcelona reportedly view him as "an ideal piece to form a future midfield with Pedri and Gavi", while Madrid would like him to be the successor to ageing veterans Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

His contract ties him to Anfield until 2027, but the Spanish giants could try to test his transfer value as soon as this off-season.

ROUND-UP

– The Daily Mail is reporting Aston Villa will listen to offers for 30-year-old goalkeeper and World Cup hero Emiliano Martinez after the season with the hope that a significant transfer fee could fund a mini-rebuild.

– Leicester City will look to sell James Maddison at the end of the season if they can not convince him to sign a new contract, with Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham named as interested parties, per Football Insider.

– According to The Telegraph, 31-year-old midfielder N'Golo Kante will sign a new contract to remain at Chelsea.

– Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting Inter will look to move on from wing-backs Denzel Dumfries and Robin Gosens at the end of the season, with Dumfries a potential piece in a swap deal for Chelsea loanee Romelu Lukaku.

– According to the Evening Standard, Saudi Arabian clubs – including Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr – are circling 30-year-old Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha with the belief he would be open to a Middle East move for the right price.

Ferran Torres acknowledged falling into a "bottomless pit" amid struggles at Barcelona but remains committed to the long-term Blaugrana project under Xavi.

The Spain international struggled in his debut Camp Nou term after signing from Manchester City for an initial €55million (£46.3m) in December 2021.

Torres' profligate showings last season saw him finish with just four goals from 18 LaLiga games, despite accumulating an expected goals tally of 7.03.

That led to some criticism over the forward's return to Spain, having left Valencia for City in 2020, but he has enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence in recent weeks after impressing in Sunday's win over Cadiz.

While he continues to battle for a place in Xavi's side, Torres – who has scored just two goals in 19 league outings this term – detailed the initial struggles to settle at Barca.

He told reporters: "I felt that I had fallen into a bottomless pit. I had never collapsed so much. I promised Xavi that I would be me again.

"I put myself in the hands of a psychologist. I usually go once or twice a week. My family also helped me, I have a very healthy environment.

"I have learnt not to be so obsessed with goals. I have learned to be happy, to face things. I have had a bad time, but it has been a great opportunity to get to know myself."

Torres hailed the role of Blaugrana veteran and Spain team-mate Sergio Busquets, as well as Barca president Joan Laporta, as he fought to adapt and improve on his underwhelming form.

"The president is very close with everyone. All of my team-mates have helped me," he added. "Busquets told me that I should be calm. That the reward would end up coming."

The 22-year-old plans to stay and fight to prove his worth at LaLiga leaders Barca, with Xavi's impressive managerial skills at the forefront of his reasoning.

"I want to succeed at Barcelona, ​​I see myself here for many years," he continued. "I'm not to blame for the price they wanted to pay for me.

"I wanted to come because this is Barca and you can't say no.

"Xavi called me several times. He carries Barca in his veins and has won everything."

Torres will look to repay Xavi's faith as Barca head to Old Trafford on Thursday for the second leg of their Europa League play-off clash with Manchester United, with the tie finely poised at 2-2.

"We will have to run like there is no tomorrow. It will be a game of patience and knowing how to suffer," he said.

"The Premier League is a very physical league, but we have a lot of talent and that's also important. We're going with everything and above all with young people ready to take on the world."

Brazil international Dani Alves was denied bail by a Spanish court on Tuesday amid an ongoing investigation into an alleged sexual assault.

Alves was arrested in Barcelona last month following allegations that he assaulted a woman in a nightclub bathroom on December 30.

The 39-year-old, who denies any wrongdoing, was sent to prison and had his contract with Mexican club Pumas UNAM terminated.

Former Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla full-back Alves had hoped to be granted bail by the Provincial Court of Barcelona.

But it was ruled that Alves should not be released due to a being a perceived flight risk who might attempt to leave the country before his trial takes place.

A statement from the court said: "Nothing would stop Mr Alves from leaving Spain by air, sea or even land without documentation and reaching his country of origin, where he could stay knowing that he would not be delivered to Spain despite international arrest warrants or extradition orders.

"There is an elevated risk of absconding, linked on the one hand to the high sentence that could be imposed because of the present case, the serious evidence of criminality against him and large financial resources that would allow him to leave Spain at any time."

Alves' defence team stated: "Daniel Alves remains as innocent as he was before this ruling.

"His desire to leave Spain and elude the process did not, and does not, exist."

Thomas Tuchel has been out of a job since being sacked by Chelsea in September but could be on the brink of a return to action. 

The German has previously led top European clubs Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and the Blues, whom he took to the 2020-21 Champions League title.

The 49-year-old has been linked with numerous vacant posts in recent months but reportedly turned down two Premier League offers.

TOP STORY – PSG WILLING TO ADMIT TUCHEL ERROR

PSG have grown frustrated with head coach Christophe Galtier and are ready to move to re-appoint Thomas Tuchel, claims the Evening Standard.

The club sacked Tuchel in December 2020 after two and a half years in charge with the best win percentage in Ligue 1 history.

But PSG are reportedly willing to admit their mistake in letting him go as they try to convince Tuchel to return following their recent run of three straight defeats, which was ended by Sunday's 4-3 win over Lille.

The report claims Tuchel would need assurances from the club, but it is the type of role he has been waiting for, joining a top side competing for major trophies.

ROUND-UP

– Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio is being monitored by Tottenham, according to Football Insider. Spurs will need to compete with Arsenal and Manchester United for the 27-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of this season.

– Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all circling for Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram, reports Talksport. The Athletic claims Thuram will exit Gladbach in the off-season as a free agent, with Bayern Munich also interested.

– Relevo reports Bayern are weighing up a move for Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, with head coach Julian Nagelsmann an admirer, although no contact has been made yet.

– ESPN claims Manchester United and teenage sensation Alejandro Garnacho have agreed in principle to a new five-year contract, warding off interest.

– Manchester United will need to fork out €80million (£71m) to land Tammy Abraham from Roma, reports Calciomercatoweb.

– Juventus will move for Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz after this season, claims Calciomercatoweb. Diaz is currently on loan at Milan, but the Rossoneri will not trigger their option to buy him.

Angel Di Maria's time in Europe may be winding down, with his Juventus contract expiring at the end of this season.

The winger, who turned 35 last week, is yet to agree an extension with the Bianconeri, sparking talk he may opt to return to his homeland.

However, the 2022 World Cup winner recently said he was "happy" in Turin, and in Europe, without committing to any direction beyond this season.

TOP STORY – BARCELONA PLOT BID FOR FREE AGENT DI MARIA

Barcelona are weighing up a shock bid to land Angel Di Maria as a free agent at the end of this season, claims Tuttomercatoweb.

Di Maria has previously expressed his desire to one day join hometown club Rosario Central but, at 35, may be tempted by another stint at the top level.

Atletico Madrid are also believed to be interested in the former Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris-Saint-Germain winger.

ROUND-UP

– Bayern Munich will provide opposition to Paris Saint-Germain and attempt to sign Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, claims Fichajes.

– PSG are keen to bring in Manchester United starlet Alejandro Garnacho, according to Mundo Deportivo. United are trying to extend the 18-year-old Argentinian's contract, which expires in 2024.

– Real Madrid are interested in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but Napoli will not sell him for a price lower than €100m, claims Diario AS.

– Newcastle United are monitoring the status of Arsenal's Kiernan Tierney, who has fallen behind Oleksandr Zinchenko as their preferred left-back, according to Football Insider.

– Arsenal are front-runners in the pursuit to sign Inter defender Denzel Dumfries, reports Tuttosport. The Gunners have moved ahead of both Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for the Dutchman's signature.

– Fichajes reports that Zinedine Zidane, Mauricio Pochettino, Diego Simeone and Luis Enrique are all on Chelsea's shortlist to replace under-pressure manager Graham Potter, although The Mirror claims owner Todd Boehly has no intention of sacking him yet.

Xavi saluted Ferran Torres and Sergi Roberto as Barcelona racked up a seventh consecutive LaLiga win to go eight points clear of Real Madrid again.

Head coach Xavi made sweeping changes to his line-up but saw Barcelona grind out a 2-0 win over Cadiz at Camp Nou.

The recalled Sergi Roberto got the opener, after Robert Lewandowski's header was cleared off the line, with Lewandowski then striking the second.

Both goals came in the closing stages of the first half, with Barcelona then doing enough to see out the win over their lowly visitors, albeit riding their luck to keep another clean sheet.

It was their 17th shutout in 22 domestic league games this season, a record number at this stage of a season, with two disallowed goals for Cadiz piling on frustration for the visitors, who Xavi agreed deserved to score.

Torres and Sergi Roberto were among those who came into the team, for a Sunday game falling between midweek Europa League play-off clashes with Manchester United.

Both impressed, Torres on the right of the attack and stalwart Sergi Roberto in midfield.

Xavi said Torres had "taken a step forward to gain confidence" and would be important for the rest of the season if he maintains his level, but his highest compliments were for Sergi Roberto.

"He is a player who can play various positions and he is fantastic," Xavi said of his former team-mate.

The versatile 31-year-old, who has entered the last six months of his contract, has been characterised in some quarters as a player with little to offer this incarnation of Barcelona, but Xavi sees it differently.

"The criticism of him is very unfair," Xavi said. "Of course I want him to renew, for me he offers a guarantee. I see him train and how he gives the performance and he is always criticised. It's one of the most unfair situations I've ever seen in my life."

Xavi said Barcelona were "very good" in the first half, but less so after the break, when goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was kept busy.

"We have given away a lot and I didn't like it. Cadiz deserved a goal and Marc had to make extraordinary saves," Xavi said.

"But the team met its goal and is maintaining its good run of results. I like the dynamic we have, we have kept a clean sheet and we continue to be eight points clear."

Robert Lewandowski scored just his second LaLiga goal since October as Barcelona beat Cadiz 2-0 to restore their eight-point lead over Real Madrid.

The 34-year-old added to Sergi Roberto's opener as two goals late in the first half undid a Cadiz side who held their own for much of the Camp Nou clash and had two goals from Roger disallowed.

Another clean sheet, Barcelona's 17th shutout in LaLiga this season, puts Xavi's side a step nearer the title, and this was a seventh consecutive league victory, the third time they have had such a run under the leadership of their former midfielder.

It sealed a double for the season, too, with Barcelona having won 4-0 in September against the team who are now fighting a relegation battle, sitting just two points outside the bottom three.

Cadiz thought they had made a 19th-minute breakthrough when a delicious pass over the top from Santiago Arzamendia, with the outside of his left boot, found Roger. The striker finished well but had strayed a foot offside, to Barcelona's relief.

Lacking service, Lewandowski barely had a sniff of goal until the 41st minute, when a cross from Ferran Torres on the right looked ideal for him to nod in at the far post. Under pressure, though, he could not make a clean connection.

The same combination combined as Barcelona struck two minutes later. Lewandowski's stooping header from Torres' clipped cross was kicked off the line by Isaac Carcelen but only as far as Sergi Roberto, who slammed it back into the back of the net from eight yards.

Lewandowski drove in Barcelona's second goal in stoppage time, a clinical low strike from 16 yards taking his haul to 15 in the league this season.

The former Bayern Munich striker prodded a shot against the top of the bar early in the second half, before Cadiz's Roger had a second goal disallowed after finishing well from a corner, with team-mate Fali penalised for a nudge into Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The visitors perhaps had reason to feel aggrieved, and Cadiz kept pushing, with Ter Stegen saving well from substitutes Fede San Emeterio and Chris Ramos late in the game, before Anthony Lozano headed against the left post. It wasn't to be their night.

Marcus Rashford is in talks over an extension on his Manchester United contract, which currently expires in mid-2024.

Rashford has scored 22 goals in all competitions this season, including a run of 14 strikes in 16 games.

Last off-season, United triggered a one-year option to prevent him becoming a free agent in June but interest in Rashford is ramping up amid his hot form.

TOP STORY – MAN UTD PLACE £120M PRICE ON RASHFORD

Manchester United have slapped a bumper £120 million price tag on in-form forward Marcus Rashford to ward off interest, claims The Daily Star.

Rashford, who is in the form of his life, has been the subject of reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

Barcelona are also monitoring Rashford according to the report, with United are desperate to retain his services amid talk of a change of ownership at Old Trafford.

ROUND-UP

– Chelsea and Bayern Munich are among the clubs lining up to sign 19-year-old Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini who is valued at €40m according to Football Italia.

– Manchester City are set to reward Nathan Ake with a new contract offer, which represents a 50 per cent pay rise, according to the Daily Star. The Dutchman's weekly wages will rise from £80,000 to £120,000.

– Juventus will rival Liverpool in trying to sign Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount in the off-season, claims CalciomercatoWeb.

– Fichajes reports Tottenham are looking to sign Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger after this season.

– Newcastle United want to bolster their ranks by luring Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, according to Fichajes. Rabiot's contract expires next season.

– Football Insider reports Liverpool are tracking 19-year-old Independiente defender Kevin Mantilla who impressed during the recent Under-20 South American Under-20 Championship with Colombia. The Reds have held preliminary talks with Mantilla.

Ansu Fati can follow Marcus Rashford's example and turn a promising start into a flourishing career, according to Barcelona head coach Xavi.

Teenage Barcelona forward Fati has had a stop-start beginning to his time in the spotlight, with injuries and a dip in form seeing him struggle to establish himself as a starter.

He has featured in 47 first-team games for Barcelona over last season and the current campaign but has started just 13 times, netting 12 goals and adding three assists.

This season he has six goals in 32 appearances, having managed the same number in 15 games during the 2021-22 campaign, and his shot conversion rate has plummeted from 24 per cent last term to just 9.38 per cent this time around.

Fati turned 20 in November and Barcelona see the Spain international playing a big part in their future, although they might like to see the return of the 2019-20 Fati, who hit eight goals as a teenage sensation.

In every season except this one, Fati has exceeded his expected goals (xG) tally, which assesses the quality of chances and the likelihood of a player scoring. This term his xG total stands at 7.87.

Asked whether Fati might become Barcelona's equivalent to Manchester United's Rashford, Xavi said on Saturday: "He has the potential to be. It is clear we have a lot of hope in him.

"We will give him confidence. Performance will mark his development. He will be important. He is being and will be."

Rashford was a teenage star whose game briefly went off the boil after a fast start. He featured in 53 games in the 2016-17 campaign as United won the EFL Cup and Europa League, their last major trophies, and Rashford hit 22 goals in the 2019-20 season followed by 21 in the next campaign, before managing just five in the 2021-22 season.

This season has seen 25-year-old Rashford back to his best, matching his best season haul of 22 goals by netting against Barcelona on Thursday in a 2-2 Europa League draw.

LaLiga leaders Barcelona host Cadiz on Sunday, wary they lost 1-0 in this fixture last year.

Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 12 LaLiga games (W11 D1), and victory over Cadiz would see them bring up a seventh consecutive win in the competition, matching their best run under Xavi, twice achieving seven-game runs previously.

Striker Robert Lewandowski scored and had two assists when Barcelona won 4-0 at Cadiz in September, the only time he has been involved in three goals in a single LaLiga game.

Xavi has urged Barcelona to make the most of having one of Europe's deadliest strikers as the spearhead to their attack.

With just one goal from his last five games, this is a lean patch for Lewandowski who has had 19 shots across those fixtures.

Xavi said: "He was extraordinary and now he's lower, but it's not bad. I'm happy with him because of how he works and moves. Maybe we have to use him more. He's a top player who makes a difference.

"He's always a danger. He links well and gives assists. You have to play more with him."

Barcelona will make changes with next week's second leg of their Europa League play-off against Rashford's United in mind, and midfielder Pedri misses out with a hamstring problem.

Napoli head coach Luciano Spalletti allayed concerns about the condition of Victor Osimhen after the in-form striker appeared to limp off during Friday's win over Sassuolo.

The Nigeria star scored Napoli's second goal in the 2-0 victory at Mapei Stadium after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring.

Osimhen's goal saw him become the first Napoli player to score in seven successive Serie A games during the three-points-for-a-win era (1995-96).

He was taken off six minutes from time and seemed to be limping as he headed for the bench, sparking some concern from supporters with a trip to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on the horizon.

But Spalletti appeared confident his star striker has not suffered any lasting damage and will be fit on Tuesday.

"We have evaluated Osimhen's condition, but it doesn't seem like it's anything out of the ordinary," Spalletti told DAZN after the game.

"He's just a little tired because he can't stop himself. It always seems like he has to do the last two metres, then he just starts running after everyone until he's recovered the ball, so two metres becomes another 200 metres.

"Doctors are investigating, but it doesn't seem like it's anything serious."

After an entertaining first half, the game was much tighter in the second period, seemingly owing to Napoli's ability to see things out in their own manner.

But there was an intensity to their play throughout that undoubtedly contributed to Sassuolo struggling to impose themselves, particularly when they might have been desperately chasing a late lifeline.

Spalletti's post-match interview was conducted by former Napoli and Juventus great Ciro Ferrara, who likened Napoli's urgency to that of Pep Guardiola's classic Barcelona side.

The Napoli coach felt the need to pump the brakes at that comparison.

"You have to go easy on the comparisons," Spalletti said. "Then it becomes a problem. We must stay calm, very calm.

"It's true that we put a lot of determination into winning the ball back. We have the strength to go and steal it from the opponent, and we did it well today.

"But, beyond that, compared to the last few games, today it seemed to me that we were superior to our previous performances, even in small things like dribbling and [game] management.

"We were quick and assertive when moving the ball around. We suffered a couple of times because Sassuolo are a great team, trained very well.

"You can't have supremacy for 90 minutes. However, the team put in a great performance. Even though we're living a great moment, nobody is giving up on the ball. It's a good feeling."

Friday's win moved Napoli 18 points clear at the summit, though Inter can reduce the deficit back to 15 with a victory over Udinese on Saturday.

LA Galaxy defender Julian Araujo sealed a permanent move from the MLS team to Spanish giants Barcelona on Friday.

Paperwork for the transfer reportedly arrived 18 seconds after the deadline for LaLiga signings in January, causing a delay.

Araujo has now been able to make the move and is initially joining up with Barcelona's B team, Barca Atletic.

The Mexico international has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal, Barcelona said.

Barcelona have reportedly asked the Court of Arbitration for Sport to rule on whether Araujo should be allowed to play competitive games this season.

In the United States, reports said Barcelona would pay €3.7million ($4m) for the 21-year-old, with the Galaxy confirming they negotiated a sell-on clause in the deal.

Announcing his departure in an Instagram post, Araujo penned a goodbye letter to the Galaxy, saying he and team-mates "fought together, side by side, for four amazing seasons that I'll never forget".

"A big thanks to the incredible fans who cheered me on from my debut to my final game," he added. "To all of my team-mates, coaches and staff, it was a pleasure to represent the badge alongside all of you. I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to develop from an academy member to a first team player, with the biggest club in MLS.

"LA Galaxy will always be a part of my story and it was an honour to share these experiences with all of you. See you soon."

Galaxy head coach and sporting director Greg Vanney said two-time All-Star Araujo deserved the chance to go to Camp Nou.

Vanney said: "It's a wonderful story of a young Southern California native who came to the LA Galaxy academy with a dream of playing for the LA Galaxy.

"He's played now three years inside of the first team and he's been recognised for his growth and the effort he's put in and how we've been able to support him over that time.

"To have clubs like Barcelona come and have interest in Jules shows, a) his effort, and b) how the process can work as you work through the LA Galaxy.

"Now he's going to be moving to one of the biggest clubs in the world, which is exciting in many ways for him and his story. This is by no means the end of Julian's story, this is just the next chapter."

Sergi Roberto accepts Barcelona "have a problem in midfield" ahead of their return leg at Manchester United due to Pedri and Gavi being ruled out.

The sides played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Camp Nou on Thursday to leave their Europa League play-off tie in the balance heading into next week's second leg.

Barca rallied from behind, having earlier let slip a lead of their own, but it came at a cost as Pedri limped off with a hamstring injury that is expected to rule him out for a month.

Meanwhile, fellow central midfielder Gavi received a yellow card, with that his third in Europe this season, resulting in an automatic suspension for the game at Old Trafford.

Xavi's options are further limited as Sergio Busquets is also nursing an injury, but versatile defender Sergi Roberto is happy to fill the void if called upon.

"We hope that Pedri's injury won't be too serious, so he can be back on the pitch as soon as possible," Sergi Roberto said.

"But it's true that we have a problem in midfield now, especially in the Europa League, because Gavi can't play. We don't know yet if Pedri can. 

"I will be willing to play in any position the coach wants me to. Either in the midfield or as winger. The coach knows I am at his disposal for wherever he needs me."

Pedri in particular has been hugely influential for Barca this season, with no player in LaLiga winning more points for their side (10 points with six goals).

The youngster left the field against United with the game still goalless, but Marcos Alonso opened the scoring for Barca early in the second half.

Marcus Rashford's 22nd goal of the season – equalling his career-best tally in the 2019-20 campaign – and a Jules Kounde own goal had United in front nine minutes later.

But Raphinha levelled for the hosts in rather fortuitous circumstances in the 76th minute to leave the tie delicately poised ahead of the return match in Manchester.

"A win wasn't to be, so to draw is better than losing," Sergi Roberto said. "My team really competed right until the end. 

"It's true that when you have a win in the bag, the second leg looks better. It was a night when both teams had lots of chances. Next week we'll have to improve.

"United are a team who love having the ball and that's made it a very interesting match. What a shame we couldn't win it."

LaLiga leaders Barcelona are now unbeaten in all six of their home games against United (W3 D3).