Our ex-Real Madrid stars have plenty of Nou Camp know-how

The current La Liga leaders and the Reds have played out some classic fixtures over the years, and Thursday's 17:45 GMT kick-off at the Nou Camp has the potential to be the latest in that series.

For many of Erik ten Hag’s squad, this will be a first outing at the iconic arena, but Raphael Varane and Casemiro - the latter of which is available for this match despite his domestic suspension - the home of the Catalan club is familiar from their recent time with Barca's storied rivals, Real Madrid.

Ahead of Thursday’s clash, we've taken a look at both Casemiro and Varane's records at the Nou Camp...

RAPHAEL VARANE

Rapha has made 10 previous appearances away to the Catalans, losing on only three occasions. The French defender is unbeaten in his other seven trips to Barcelona, winning three times and drawing four of those matches.

In his previous visit to the Nou Camp, Rapha came away with three points, as Real Madrid triumphed 3-1 over their league rivals in the 2020/21 campaign.

What’s more, in cup competitions, Real never lost away to Barcelona when Varane featured, winning two times and drawing once. The Frenchman will be striving to experience similar fortunes on Thursday, when he potentially takes to the Nou Camp pitch for the first time as a United player.

CASEMIRO 

During his time in the Spanish capital, the Brazilian travelled to the Nou Camp on 10 occasions too, enjoying five victories there and losing only once. 

That defeat, which occurred during the 2018/19 season, was in La Liga, meaning our no.18 is yet to experience a loss at the stadium in cup competition.

Casemiro, like Varane, will be eager to register another positive Nou Camp result on Thursday. The Brazilian is undefeated in his last four appearances there, and will return to the ground on Thursday for the first time since moving to United in the summer.

HOW HAVE OTHER REDS FARED ON BARCA'S TURF?

Casemiro and Varane may be the most experienced in United's squad when it comes to playing at the Nou Camp, but they aren't the only players with history at the Catalans' iconic home stadium. 

Several Reds have also made the trip for La Liga matches - David De Gea was in goal for Atletico Madrid during their 2010/11 defeat at Barcelona, while Facundo Pellistri was in the Deportivo Alaves squad for their last two visits to the current champions of Spain - a loss and a draw respectively. Anthony Martial played up front for Sevilla as they were narrowly edged out there last season. De Gea and Martial were also two of seven current Reds that were involved in our last visit to the Nou Camp in 2019, in which the hosts enjoyed a 3-0 success on a tough night for United.

Notably, Jadon Sancho scored for Borussia Dortmund during their visit to the ground in the 2019/20 Champions League group stage, but ultimately the goal was in vain, with the German side beaten 3-1 on the night.