Ahead of Manchester United and Barcelona’s clash in the Europa League at Camp Nou on Thursday, it is worth a look back at their previous meetings. They have faced off 13 times in all competitions, with Barcelona being the more successful, with six wins, compared to United’s three, as well as four draws. These 13 meetings have included some huge games. Here are some of the standouts: Read next: How United should line up vs Barcelona 1991 Cup Winners Cup Final: Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona A Manchester United victory, courtesy of a brace from Mark Hughes, before Ronald Koeman scored a consolation for Barcelona. The victory in Rotterdam gave United their first European title since the 1968 European Cup final win over Benfica. It was also a key stepping stone for United, as they went on to win their first league title in 26 years the following season. Ferguson’s United beating Johan Cruyff’s famed Barcelona was a momentous achievement, effectively shutting out Michael Laudrup, one of the best players of all time. Barcelona however, did not let the defeat derail their progress, as they won four consecutive La Liga titles under the great Johan Cruyff from 1991-1994. Mark Hughes scores in the European Cup Winners’ Cup final in Rotterdam in 1991 (Image: Mirrorpix) 1999 Champions League – the two 3-3 draws United and Barcelona were pitted together in the so-called ‘group of death’ with eventual runners-up Bayern Munich and Denmark’s Brondby, and the home and away fixtures between the two go down as perhaps their finest encounters. The Reds got off to a flyer at Old Trafford, taking a 2-0 first-half lead through Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes before the visitors came back to level terms. David Beckham’s sublime free-kick at the Stretford End restored the lead, but a late Barca penalty (and subsequent Nicky Butt sending-off) confirmed the 3-3 draw. The return at the Nou Camp would prove even more compelling. Sonny Anderson put Barca ahead inside a minute and some Peter Schmeichel heroics stopped them from taking the game away from United early on. Andy Cole takes on Michael Reiziger of Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League match at the Nou Camp. Then Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole’s attacking partnership took to its greatest heights – shredding apart the Barca backline time and again as the pair shared three goals. Rivaldo was also sensational for the home side, almost pulling off an incredible hat-trick that would have changed the course of history. But another 3-3 result would see Barcelona knocked out, and United and Bayern Munich eventually set on course for a Camp Nou date with destiny in the final. 2008 Champions League semi-final: Manchester United 1-0 Barcelona Following a 0-0 draw at Camp Nou, the return leg was at Old Trafford and a great strike from Paul Scholes after 14 minutes was the difference between the sides. After a nervy start, nerves were calmed when Scholes fired United ahead. United continued to push forward, with Park and Nani having great chances. Barcelona did threaten, notably Henry’s close-range header, which was gratefully received into the arms of van der Sar. United remained defiant though and there were jubilant scenes at full-time as United went through to the Champions League final in Moscow. United went on to win the final on penalties against Chelsea. 2009 Champions League final: Manchester United 0-2 Barcelona Barcelona’s triumph in Rome secured a treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Champions League, denying United the opportunity to become one of the few clubs to retain the European Cup. Samuel Eto’o scored after just ten minutes, before the great Lionel Messi doubled Barcelona’s advantage in the second half to give them a third European Cup. This final was between two of the best teams in the world at the time. Both had won their domestic leagues and each had one of the world’s best players ever on their side, in Messi and Ronaldo. Messi got his hands on his second Champions League in 2009. 2011 Champions League final: Manchester United 1-3 Barcelona A rematch of the 2009 final. This time at Wembley, again between Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola and again Barcelona were the victors. Although a Rooney goal before half-time meant they went into the break level, Barcelona dominated the final. This final is widely seen as the pinnacle of one of Europe’s best club sides in Guardiola’s Barcelona. Central to this brilliance was Lionel Messi, who was the deserved man of the match as he, Pedro and Villa scored for Barcelona. Michael Carrick chases Argentine superstar Lionel Messi in the 2011 Champions League final 2019 Champions League quarter-final Manchester United 0-3 Barcelona Following Barcelona’s 1-0 win at Old Trafford in the first leg, they dismantled United in the second leg, with Messi bagging a brace in the opening 20 minutes, before Coutinho added another after an hour. United did have a couple of chances on the evening, but Barcelona were the superior side on this meeting, although the game highlighted how each side had fallen. Barcelona then lost 4-0 at Anfield in the semi-final to crash out of the Champions League. United went on to finish 6th in the Premier League that season. Despite the two teams meeting in the Europa League this Thursday, they both appear to be back on their way to the top, having shown impressive form in their domestic leagues this season. Next up: The latest United news Ten Hag is using Barcelona template to finish rebuild Ten Hag should alter Barcelona tactical plan after Luke Shaw display vs Leeds Rashford’s best position could be confirmed vs Barcelona United predicted line up vs Barcelona
