Gary Neville names three Manchester United players that will be relishing facing Barcelona in Europa League

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Gary Neville has named three Manchester United players he believes will relish facing Barcelona in the mouth-watering Europa League play-off tie.

Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils were drawn to face Barca, who currently sit top of La Liga, in Monday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland.

Having finished second in Group E behind fellow La Liga side Real Sociedad, the Busby Babes ran the risk of being drawn against the likes of Juventus and Barcelona who finished third in their Champions League groups.

Ten Hag’s side will travel to the Nou Camp on February 16 for the first leg before Xavi’s men head to Old Trafford the following week.

Gary Neville names three United players that will relishing facing Barcelona

While he’s under no illusion that beating the Catalan giants will be a difficult task, the former Reds right-back believes that Ten Hag’s side will relish the blockbuster clash against another European heavyweight.

Speaking on The Overlap, the Sky Sports pundit picked out United trio Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Cristiano Ronaldo as three United players who will “enjoy” the prospect of facing Blaugrana.

The 46-year-old, who called time on his playing career in 2011, said: “I think there’s something about United – we need big nights and those massive games, and we aren’t in the Champions League this season, so we need something just to galvanise [us].

“But I do feel at this moment in time that the fans need to dream, the club needs to dream – the players need that massive game.

“The likes of Eriksen, Casemiro and [Cristiano] Ronaldo will enjoy that game.”

Both Casemiro and Ronaldo as well as Varane will renew their rivalry with Barca following their time with Real Madrid.

While our Danish playmaker has only faced the Nou Camp side once previously in his career.

Neville believes there isn’t a “negative” takeaway from United being drawn against the Spanish giants.

The former England international added: “I don’t see a negative out of this [drawing Barca]. If they go out, they go out – they came second in their group and got a tough draw and lost against Barca – they then have a clear run until the end of the season and can try and get into the Champions League.

“But if they get through it, you can imagine how special that’s going to be against Barcelona with the atmosphere in those two matches – they come out of it with great confidence.

“I genuinely think at this stage in United’s journey we aren’t sat here thinking we have to win this; we have to do that. I just think we need to have great nights.”