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Man Utd news: Paul Scholes reveals the ONE thing that could HELP in Barcelona clash
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes believes his former club could be helped by the fact Barcelona are huge favourites to win their Champions League quarter-final tie.
Man United: Barcelona is a 'fantastic challenge' says Solskjaer
The Red Devils host the Spanish heavyweights in the first leg of their last eight clash at Old Trafford tomorrow night (8pm).
United came through their last 16 showdown with Paris Saint-Germain in incredible circumstances, becoming the first team in European Cup history to lose the first leg 2-0 at home and still progress to the next round.
A 3-1 win in Paris - courtesy of a stoppage-time Marcus Rashford penalty - helped see United make history and reach their first quarter final in this competition since losing to Bayern Munich in 2013-14.
But the odds are stacked against United again as they come up against a Lionel Messi-led Barcelona side, with the Argentine boasting 22 goals and eight assists in 20 games in 2019 alone.
The Barca captain is desperate to win the European competition for a fifth time having watched Real Madrid, led by rival Cristiano Ronaldo, win it on four occasions in the last five years.
United had enjoyed a phenomenal run under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer where they lost just once in their first 17 games under the Norwegian, but have since lost three of their last four.
Yet Scholes - who scored the winning goal last time United met Barca at Old Trafford 11 years ago - believes that the tag of underdogs could well suit United.
“I don’t think Barcelona are as good as they were,” Scholes - who faced Barca six times in his career, including as a substitute in both the 2009 and 2011 finals - said.
When we went into it, we knew if we got 25 per-cent possession we’d be happy
“When we went into it, we knew if we got 25 per-cent possession we’d be happy.
“It was all about concentration. So many quality players, Messi, Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta of that era.
“I don’t think they have that many players as good as them but still they’ve got some real quality.
“Can you keep Messi quiet? Not sure you can. [Luis] Suarez as well.
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“I think that’s gone. If we were looking at that then Barca would have the advantage from what’s happened in the past.
“I don’t think many people expect United to go through this tie so that could help them a bit.
“They’ve got some quality, United, some really good forward players.
“It’s just at the other end, can they stop them scoring goals? Especially at Old Trafford.”