UEFA Europa League: How to watch FC Barcelona vs. Manchester United Thursday | Channel, Stream, Preview

FC Barcelona and Manchester United are two of the biggest football clubs in the world, with a rich history of success and a legion of passionate fans. On Thursday, these two giants of the game will face off in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.With so much at stake for both teams, there is sure to be plenty of drama and excitement on the pitch . In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the FC Barcelona vs. Manchester United Thursday match and what we can expect from this clash of European titans.

FC Barcelona vs. Manchester Match

On Sunday, February 5, 2023, Raphinha of Barcelona celebrated after scoring the team’s third goal against Sevilla in a Spanish La Liga soccer match held at the Camp Now stadium in Barcelona, Spain. While the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League is drawing attention, an exciting matchup is brewing in the second-tier European championship. Manchester United and Barcelona are preparing to face each other in the first leg of the Europa League’s Playoff round.

Barcelona and Manchester United are two of the most iconic sporting franchises worldwide, making it surprising for some to see them both in the Europa League. Manchester United’s disappointing 2021-22 campaign left them outside the top four in the English Premier League, keeping them out of the UCL. While Barcelona qualified for the Champions League, their seven points in the group stage knocked them out of the tournament. It is the second-straight season for Barcelona to fail to make it out of the opening stage of the UCL. They reached the quarterfinals in the Europa League last season before losing to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Currently, in LaLiga action, Barcelona has a good chance to qualify for the Champions League next season, as they are eight points ahead of Real Madrid for first place. Like Barcelona, ManU is making a case to play in the UCL in 2023-24. After their matches in the EPL last weekend, the Red Devils are in third place, eight points behind the league-leading Arsenal. This is the third time in the last four seasons that Manchester United is playing in the UEL, reaching the semifinals in both of their last two appearances.

The legendary clubs will meet for the 14th time, with ManU leading Barcelona 6-4-3, marking the first time they have met since the Champions League Quarterfinals in 2019. On Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. ET, FC Barcelona and Manchester United, two of Europe’s most famous teams, will play each other in a UEFA Europa League game. TUDN will broadcast the game, but those without access to the station can watch it on fuboTV, a live streaming service catering to international soccer fans.

Both teams, once members of European soccer’s aristocracy, are not playing like also-rans of the continent. “At the end of the day, we don’t deserve to be in the Champions League, and neither do they. But the level is still very high,” Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said on Wednesday. Despite the recent struggles, the clubs with two of the largest followings in world soccer are in a good place on the field. Barcelona is slowly recovering from a crippling financial crisis that cost the club Lionel Messi and more. Although the club’s economic situation is still precarious, with the latest accounts showing a debt of over $650 million, the team has an 11-point lead in the Spanish league.

In the upcoming weeks, Manchester United is set to face Newcastle in the final of the English League Cup, marking the team’s potential triumph in a major tournament for the first time in six years. Meanwhile, Barcelona is in good shape, with a recent string of victories, and is hoping to secure a place in the finals of the Europa League.

Both Manchester United and Barcelona have reasons to believe they will soon be back competing at the top of European soccer. Their participation in the Europa League adds to the excitement of the competition, which is often overshadowed by the larger, more prestigious Champions League. However, it is a shame that they are meeting at an early stage of the tournament, which would have been better as the final.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has expressed his enthusiasm about playing against Barcelona, stating that it will be a game at the highest level, adding that he would have preferred to play them in the final.

Barcelona, despite not being able to secure a win against Bayern or Inter Milan, is in excellent form, with its last loss being against Bayern Munich in October. Under the leadership of Xavi, the team has won eight games in a row in all competitions, and Robert Lewandowski is the star player.

Xavi, who won two Champions League finals with Barcelona against Manchester United on the field, has his team playing as well as it has all season, despite the injuries of Ousmane Dembélé and Sergio Busquets. The team’s Spain internationals Pedri and Gavi are driving the midfield, while Raphinha is filling in admirably for Dembélé.

Meanwhile, Manchester United has had to contend with its own absences, including midfielder Christian Eriksen, who will miss most of the season with an ankle injury. Anthony Martial is also struggling to stay fit. With the termination of Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract in November, Ten Hag has been left short in attack, which is why the form of Marcus Rashford has been crucial. The forward has scored 13 goals in his last 15 games and a total of 21 goals all season. Jadon Sancho is also back in the game after taking time off to regain his form, adding to United’s attacking options.

Ten Hag faces a tough decision in attack, with loan signing Wout Weghorst failing to provide much of a goal threat, scoring only once in eight appearances. With Sancho’s return, Rashford can be moved from the left wing to a central position, where he has been able to score in United’s last two games when playing in that position.

Xavi acknowledges Rashford’s threat on the field, describing him as one of the most dangerous strikers due to his speed, dribbling skills, and ability to score in transitions and one-on-one situations.

In conclusion, the upcoming match between Manchester United and Barcelona is expected to be a thrilling game of football with both teams showcasing their strengths and attacking prowess.

• FC Barcelona has won 5 Champions League titles, while Manchester United has won 3

• Lionel Messi is FC Barcelona’s all-time top scorer with 672 goals

• Cristiano Ronaldo is Manchester United’s all-time top scorer with 118 goals

• FC Barcelona has won 96 trophies in their history, while Manchester United has won 66

 

UEFA Europa League – Play-off (1st Leg)

Who: FC Barcelona vs. Manchester United FC

When: Thursday, February 16

Time: 12:30 p.m. ET

Where: Camp Nou (Barcelona, Spain)

Channel: TUDN

Stream:FuboTV (Free trial), Sling, DirecTV Stream

Check out the UEFA Europa League results here

Conclusion:

The FC Barcelona vs. Manchester United Thursday match is one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the football season. With both teams desperate to secure a place in the knockout stage of the Champions League, there is sure to be plenty of drama and excitement on the pitch.

As fans of both teams prepare for this epic clash, one thing is certain: the world will be watching as these two European giants battle it out for pride and glory. Who will come out on top? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – this is a match you won’t want to miss.

FAQs:

Q: When is the FC Barcelona vs. Manchester United Thursday match taking place?

A: The match is taking place on Thursday, February 16th.

Q: Where is the match being played?

A: The match is being played at Camp Nou, Barcelona’s home stadium.

Q: What is at stake for both teams in this match?

A: Both teams are competing for a place in the knockout stage of the Champions League, so this match is crucial for their qualification chances.

Q: Who are the key players to watch in this match?

A: Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann are the key players to watch for FC Barcelona, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes are the key players to watch for Manchester United.

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