Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez believes Erik ten Hag has changed the face of Manchester United and says Marcus Rashford is one of the best forwards in Europe.
The former Barcelona and Spain midfielder was speaking ahead of the heavyweight Europa League clash between the two teams at Camp Nou. It will be the first-leg — on Thursday night — before the the return fixture at Old Trafford next week.
“Tomorrow is a great match,” Xavi told reporters, as per Manchester Evening News. “It’s a spectacular tie. Both teams arrived at the best moment of the season.
“Ten Hag has changed the face of the team. It’s been hard for them but they’re doing a great job. He is a great coach. Reversing the situation at United was not easy.
“He makes variants in attack and defence, they work very well. He is an attacking coach and he shows it in almost every game. He is a reference for coaches who like this kind of football.
“Manchester United is a great club. They are not in the best moment in their history but there are players who are in a great moment. In recent weeks, they have had good results and it will be very hard to win the game.”
Xavi also waxed lyrical over Marcus Rashford, who he will be trying to stop tomorrow night, with the forward scoring 13 goals in his last 15 games for United.
“He’s one of the most dangerous forwards in Europe,” Xavi acknowledged. “He’s fast, he’s one-on-one and we’ll have to watch him a lot. He’s one of the best in Europe, without a doubt.
“We have assessed what they are doing. Rashford, (Alejandro) Garnacho, (Jadon) Sancho and (Wout) Weghorst might be a reference. The transitions are very quick.”
United are taking on a Barca side that are currently leading the title race in La Liga — 11 points clear of rivals Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils are only five points behind first-placed Man City, who beat Arsenal at the Emirates this evening.
