The excitement is building at Old Trafford

With fans travelling from all around the world to see the game, there have been plenty milling around nervously outside the ground. We spoke to a few about what they expect from the big match...

Nageeb has travelled all the way from Sweden for the match.

“This is my first game and to see two such big teams is just amazing,” he said. “It’s fascinating, it’s a big game and it will be difficult, but hopefully we can get the win.

“I want to see [Romelu] Lukaku. There is always a lot of pressure on him, but in the last two Champions League games he was great. Hopefully he can get the goals tonight.

“They have great players but obviously [Lionel] Messi is the danger one. [Luis] Suarez too, [Ousmane] Dembele, [Philippe] Coutinho - they have a great team, but I believe we can stop them.”

 

Simen Ekeberg, a United fan from Norway, is looking forward to seeing his compatriot Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first Champions League game as permanent manager.

He said: “I've been a fan of Manchester United since I was three or four and Ole Gunnar was a player here. I love the way Manchester United play under him. They play such attacking football, but I think tonight we have to be compact and defensively really good. We have a chance tonight but it’s a very good team we are facing.

“This is the greatest match for many years at Old Trafford, so I’m really excited to be here.

“I think the game could be won on the counter-attack form Manchester United and we need to avoid simple mistakes. That can tear us apart so everyone needs to be super focused. It will be close but I think it will be 2-2 tonight.”

Aaron Chircop decided after our win against Paris Saint-Germain that he would make the trip from Malta to Old Trafford for the quarter-finals.

"It’s a dream for me [to be here] and it’s really special to be here at Old Trafford. It’s one of the best days of my life," he said.

"I’m looking forward to seeing Paul Pogba, David De Gea and Marcus Rashford. But for Barcelona, their main threat has to be [Lionel] Messi. I think he’s the best player in the world but I’m not afraid of him. Our defence will have to be strong to stop him but I believe they can."

Finally we spoke to another group of Norwegians, Arne, a Barcelona fan, and two United supporters, Henrik and Kristiane.

Arne Lid

He said: "It will be a really exciting game and I am really looking forward to it. In recent years Manchester united and Barcelona have had some really interesting and big games. I think tonight will mean a lot to many of the players, especially those who were involved in the games all those years ago.

“Im worried about Lukaku. He’s so strong and he can be dangerous from corners and free-kicks. Rashford is also very talented and capable producing a moment of magic. I think those two in attack can cause some danger."

Henrik Sletten

“I think it’s very important for United that [Paul] Pogba manages to find space tonight and gets lots of the ball early so they can counter fast,” he said. “ If Barcelona close Pogba down so he can’t receive the ball it will be hard to create something.”

Kristiane Sletten

“United have played really well recently. Solskjaer has done so well since he got the job. Football in Norway is all about Solskjaer and he’s always in the news,” she said.

“I think it will be a tough match, but I’m predicting a 2-1 win for Manchester United."

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