Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has labelled the Red Devils mouth-watering Europa League play-off clash against Barcelona as “one for the fans”.
On the day that United’s number one turned 32, Erik ten Hag’s side were drawn against the Catalan giants in yesterday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland.
De Gea has faced the Spanish giants five times during his career, but he’s yet to be on the winning side against the La Liga leaders with the Reds.
The 45-time Spain international was in goal for United when we lost 3-0 at the Nou Camp back in April 2019 when we were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage 4-0 on aggregate when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was at the helm.
De Gea’s only win against Barca came 12 years ago when he was at Atletico Madrid and Los Colchoneros beat Pep Guardiola’s side 2-1 win at the Vincente Calderon.
De Gea reacts to Manchester United drawing Barcelona in Europa League
Manchester United and Barcelona have faced one and other 13 times with the Spanish side winning six times, United winning three and there being four draws between the European heavyweights.
While United and Barca would have likely wanted to have avoided each other, De Gea is under no illusion that Ten Hag’s side must beat the best sides in the competition if we are to achieve continental glory.
Giving his reaction to the draw, De Gea told the club’s website: “We know Barcelona is a great team, I think they are playing well.
“Of course, it was one of the teams that we probably didn’t want to play against but if you want to win the Europa League, you have to play against the best teams and Barcelona is [one of these].
“It’s one for the fans and we will try our best to win both games.”
De Gea will return to his homeland when United travel to the Nou Camp for the first leg on February 16 before Xavi’s side head to Old Trafford the following week.
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