Barcelona sporting director Jordi Cruyff says Barcelona will have to change their style of play in order to combat Manchester United.
The two teams will clash in the Europa League knockout rounds over two legs, with the first being held at the Nou Camp this week.
Cruyff played for Manchester United between 1996 and 2000, and knows first hand the difference between playing in La Liga in the Premier League.
Speaking to Barca TV, Cruyff said he is looking forward to a Champions League quality encounter when the two teams face off.
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Cruyff says Barcelona must adapt
Cruyff believes Barcelona must adapt to Manchester United’s intensity or risk losing the two-legged tie.
He recognises that Barcelona’s good domestic form offers no guarantees against a squad of Manchester United’s quality.
Cruyff said: “At the moment I think both clubs are very strong, probably the best moment of the season, both.
“It’s going to be like a Champions League match. It’s not a Europa League feeling. It’s very special, very difficult for both sides. The small details are probably going to be the deciding factor.
“I think the fact it is an English opponent they have a way of playing, their league is more transitional, more physical, of course with a lot of players with a lot of quality.
“We shouldn’t forget United have a lot of World Cup players so its a very strong squad.
“If we can adapt to their intensity we can have a good chance to go through. It also depends on the ideas of the coaches, there are a lot of games coming up domestically.”
Manchester United also must make some adjustments. The team have fared poorly against Spanish sides in recent seasons in knockout games.
The team lost the Europa League final to Villarreal, semi-final to Sevilla, and been knocked out of the Champions League by Sevilla and Atletico Madrid in recent seasons, and Barcelona in 2019.
The Spanish sides have adapted well to United’s intensity in recent seasons, with La Liga teams being the Red Devils’ kryponite.
The great hope is that new manager Erik ten Hag has added a steely resolve to the club, which will enable United to reverse the losing trend.
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