Fred: We have the experience to win at Barcelona
Manchester United midfielder Fred says he is drawing confidence from the experience and know-how in the Reds squad ahead of Thursday’s Europa League play-off away to Barcelona.
While the impressive run Erik ten Hag’s side are on – with just one defeat across all competitions since the World Cup – is a natural source of belief, the midfielder insists the big-game knowledge within this United team is also crucial going into the upcoming tie.
Although the Reds have only played at the Nou Camp once in recent years – a 3-0 Champions League defeat in Fred’s first season at Old Trafford – that experience includes understanding the feeling of going up against the Catalan side in the iconic arena.
The Brazilian was one of seven current Reds that featured on that tough night in 2019, while the likes of Casemiro and Raphael Varane have since come to the club with a catalogue of expertise in playing away to Barcelona.
Although the Reds have only played at the Nou Camp once in recent years – a 3-0 Champions League defeat in Fred’s first season at Old Trafford – that experience includes understanding the feeling of going up against the Catalan side in the iconic arena.
The Brazilian was one of seven current Reds that featured on that tough night in 2019, while the likes of Casemiro and Raphael Varane have since come to the club with a catalogue of expertise in playing away to Barcelona.
Fred: We are ready for the Nou Camp Video
Fred: We are ready for the Nou Camp
Fred could have an important role to play on Thursday night and, typically, he's absolutely raring to go...
“We have good experience, but now we just need to win,” Fred told us, ahead of Thursday’s first leg at the home of the La Liga side.
“I know it’s difficult to play in the Camp Nou, we know they have good players, but we can win.
“We know about the Camp Nou, everything, but we have enough players that have experience to go to [the] Camp Nou and win this game.”
“I know it’s difficult to play in the Camp Nou, we know they have good players, but we can win.
“We know about the Camp Nou, everything, but we have enough players that have experience to go to [the] Camp Nou and win this game.”
Our Nou Camp know-how, in no small part, can be garnered from former Real Madrid duo Casemiro and Varane, who each represented Los Blancos 10 times at the stadium during their years in Spain.
Fred says that ability to understand the environment – one in which Barcelona have only lost once all season, to Bayern Munich – will be important for United on Thursday evening.
“I think both, Rapha and Case, De Gea as well, have a lot of games against Barcelona,” the midfielder added.
“So, we have a lot of players that have good experience, so I think it can be a difference inside the pitch. Like I say, everyone will try our best to win this game.”
Fred says that ability to understand the environment – one in which Barcelona have only lost once all season, to Bayern Munich – will be important for United on Thursday evening.
“I think both, Rapha and Case, De Gea as well, have a lot of games against Barcelona,” the midfielder added.
“So, we have a lot of players that have good experience, so I think it can be a difference inside the pitch. Like I say, everyone will try our best to win this game.”
What are Casemiro and Varane's Nou Camp records?
ArticleThe United pair each made 10 visits to Barcelona's home during their time with Real Madrid.
As well as a strong home record, Xavi’s Barcelona have been imperious away from home too, meaning they are now on a 16-match unbeaten run across all competitions, dating back to that defeat to Bayern in October.
Fred is well aware of the task ahead, but says the Reds are ready for the challenge of securing progression to the next stage of the competition across two legs.
“We expect it is a difficult game, everyone knows about Barcelona, we need [to be] careful, but it’s [the] Europa League, we need to win both games and we need to pass this phase.
“Both teams are improving right now, constructing good things. So, I think the fans can expect a big game, both teams trying to play, both teams trying to score goals and I hope, in the end, we win."
Fred is well aware of the task ahead, but says the Reds are ready for the challenge of securing progression to the next stage of the competition across two legs.
“We expect it is a difficult game, everyone knows about Barcelona, we need [to be] careful, but it’s [the] Europa League, we need to win both games and we need to pass this phase.
“Both teams are improving right now, constructing good things. So, I think the fans can expect a big game, both teams trying to play, both teams trying to score goals and I hope, in the end, we win."
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