Our history with Champions League quarter-finalists

Wednesday 13 March 2019 21:52

On Friday morning, Manchester United will learn who we will face in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

With a spot in the semi-finals of Europe's elite club competition at stake, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad will be under no illusions of the challenges that lie ahead if we want to book a ticket to the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid at the beginning of June. All of the teams left in the competition have faced United before, either domestically or in European competition.

Here's how United have fared against our rivals for the trophy in the past...

Who can United face in the quarter-finals?

 Article

With the Reds through to the last eight of the Champions League, we take a look at the sides lying in wait.

IN THE DRAW

AJAX

Perhaps the standout result of the round of 16, after United's win over Paris Saint-Germain of course, was how the Dutch side sensationally saw off the reigning European champions, Real Madrid, at the Bernabeu after being 2-1 down going into the second leg.

If drawn against Erik ten Hag's side on Friday, it will be the first time that United have faced Ajax in the Champions League, however the two have met on five previous occasions in the UEFA Cup and the Europa League. The most recent meeting will still be fresh in the memory for most United fans, as the two competed in Stockholm for the Europa League final back in 2017, when the Reds ran out 2-0 victors.

JUVENTUS

A team with whom United have shared some great matches in the past. The Reds met the Old Lady back in the group stage of this season's competition. Despite a defeat at Old Trafford, United had the last laugh in Turin with a Juan Mata free-kick and a late own goal ensuring that we took a vital three points on the road to ensure progression to the last 16.

United have faced Juventus 14 times in Europe in total. The Italian giants edged a narrow victory against Ron Atkinson's injury-hit side in the semi-finals of the European Cup-Winners' Cup in 1984, although in 1999, the Reds produced a thrilling second leg comeback in the semi-finals of the Champions League - a prelude to the famous night in Barcelona against Bayern Munich.

MANCHESTER CITY

While the neighbouring clubs haven't met in the Champions League before, the Reds and Blues know each other well when it comes to cup competitions. The two have met on nine occasions in the FA Cup with United winning six while, in the League Cup, United have faced City in two-legged competition before. After a 2-1 first leg defeat at the Etihad Stadium 2010, Sir Alex Ferguson's men turned it around at Old Trafford to win 4-3 on aggregate and book a ticket to Wembley, where we would lift the trophy.

Highlights: Juventus 1 United 2 Video

Highlights: Juventus 1 United 2

What a result! Watch how Jose Mourinho's men pulled off a stunning win in Turin...

PORTO

It has been 10 years since United last met Porto in the Champions League, with the Reds having a favourable record against the Primeira Liga outfit. Standout performances over the years include a convincing 4-0 victory in the quarter-finals of the competition in 1997 with goals from David May, Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs and Andy Cole, while in 2009, the Reds progressed into the semi-finals after a 3-2 aggregate win.

TOTTENHAM

As for Spurs,the two teams have only been drawn together in European competition once - a European Cup-Winners' Cup tie in 1963.The Reds overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit to advance to the next round with a 4-0 win at Old Trafford with braces from David Herd and Bobby Charlton.

In more recent times, the Reds won 1-0 at Wembley in January with Marcus Rashford getting on the end of a brilliant long ball from Paul Pogba, with Solskjaer's side now in a closely fought fight for a top-four slot with the north London club. If drawn against Tottenham, one of the legs is likely to be played at their soon-to-be-opened new stadium.

Highlights: Tottenham 0 United 1 Video

Highlights: Tottenham 0 United 1

Watch how Marcus Rashford's goal and David De Gea's heroics enabled us to beat Spurs 1-0 in January 2019...

BARCELONA

It is approaching eight years since United faced Barcelona at Wembley in the 2011 Champions League final. Whenever the two giants of world football have played over the years, goals have been aplenty. In United's Treble-winning campaign of 1998-99, the Reds drew 3-3 with Barcelona at Old Trafford and at the Nou Camp.The two met again in 2008 with an unforgettable goal from Paul Scholes ensured Sir Alex's side travelled to Moscow for the final where we returned with the trophy after beating Chelsea on penalties. We also overcame Barca in the 1991 European Cup-Winners' Cup final in Rotterdam but were beaten, like at Wembley, in Rome in the 2009 Champions League final.

Paul Scholes' winner ensured United progressed to the 2008 Champions League final.

LIVERPOOL

Despite the rich and often fierce rivalry between United and Liverpool, the Reds from Manchester and Merseyside have only met once in European competition. A Europa League last-16 tie took place between the two sides in 2017, with the spoils going to the Anfield club. In domestic matters, Liverpool won 3-1 at Anfield in December before Solskjaer's side earned a point from a goalless draw at Old Trafford in February.

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