So, we've seen a lot of talk about this being a big moment for Manchester United and their fans. They are having a stellar campaign so far and have the chance to take it one step further this evening.

So, what do you think? Did you expect how well this season is going United fans?

Give us your thoughts on that and let us know what your predictions are for the evening and just what you think United can achieve this season.

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Could this week be the best Manchester United fans have experienced since the prolific glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson? It very well could be.

Barcelona at Old Trafford on Thursday. A cup final at Wembley on Sunday. THIS is what being a United fan is all about.

As big a tie as it is, the Barcelona game carries less importance.

If United progress, they are the favourites to win the Europa League. If they bow out, it soothes the fixture congestion in the bid for a top-four finish.

Both scenarios are likely to result in Champions League football next season. But Sunday... oh, Sunday...

What once was a bonus competition - a day out under the famous arch - now poses as a crucial step in Erik ten Hag’s rebuild.

United were never supposed to challenge for anything in his first season, or be the only club across Europe’s major leagues still in four competitions in February, but... hello.

Beating Newcastle United to lift the Carabao Cup will give most of Ten Hag’s squad the taste of silverware they haven’t yet had at Old Trafford.

And that could be the platform to achieving greater things much earlier than anyone could have predicted under the Dutchman.

Erik ten Hag shared dinner with Sir Alex Ferguson this week as he looks to emulate the Scot in bringing European success to the club. He described the meeting as "massive".

"I always enjoy speaking with people who have a lot of knowledge, a lot of experience. He wants to share it; he wants to help and support," Ten Hag said.

"You feel Manchester United is his club. He feels so committed and he wants that we are doing well.

"It was a great night and I look forward to the next night with him."

Image source, Getty Images

• Manchester United have only won one of their past 11 games against Barcelona in European competition (D5 L5), going winless in the past five (D1 L4). Their only victory in this run came in April 2008 in a Champions League semi-final second leg, with Paul Scholes netting in a 1-0 win.
• Barcelona have faced Manchester United away from home in European competition on five previous occasions. After failing to win any of the first four (D2 L2), they won 1-0 on their most recent such trip in April 2019 (Champions League quarter-final first leg).
• Manchester United have only lost two of their past 11 European games at Old Trafford (W6 D3), although both defeats in this run came against Spanish opposition: 0-1 v Atletico Madrid in March 2022 and 0-1 v Real Sociedad in September 2022.

Raphael Varane believes Manchester United have "grown a lot" under Erik ten Hag - but that to take the next step they must claim a major scalp like Barcelona.

United host Barca in the Europa League play-off second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday, seeking to secure progression after a thrilling 2-2 draw in last week's initial encounter at the Nou Camp.

Ten Hag's side have won 15 of their past 19 games, losing just once in that run, and have a chance of silverware in the Dutchman's first season when they face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

"I think in the last month, we grew a lot. I think we are playing with more confidence and tomorrow the atmosphere will be electric," said France centre-back Varane.

"The next aim is to beat teams like Barcelona. It is a real challenge and a good opportunity. We have to play the same [as the first leg], or even better, to qualify.

“The first game against Barcelona was a very good game - top level, two offensive teams who want to press high on the pitch.

"It was a good result for us. In the first half we could have scored maybe more goals, but in general we played with a character and a personality on the pitch, which was very important.

"For the second game we know exactly how we want to play – with patience, discipline on the pitch and belief. I think we have a good team and we are ready for that challenge."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

After scoring his 24th goal of the season for Manchester United, Marcus Rashford could be set for a "worldie of a season".

That's the view of Joe McGrath on BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast.

"If he carries on scoring like this - he’s 24 across all competitions - he could get to the 40 mark," McGrath said.

"If we get through against Barcelona, we’ve got the League Cup, we could go on an FA Cup run, we’ve got 14 games left in the Premier League, it’s not past Rashford to get 16 goals before the end of the season.

"If he’s scoring one every other game, we could be talking about a worldie of a season."

With his two goals against Leicester, the England forward broke his previous scoring record in a single season at United of 22 in 2019-20 and McGrath feels that "something pretty incredible" could happen this year.

McGrath added: "It’s amazing to see that from where he came last year, where he looked off the mark and not as sharp as the year before, now to he’s turned things around."

The club continue their pursuit of four trophies this season in the second leg of their Europa League play-off tie at home to Barcelona on Thursday night.

If Manchester United progress, McGrath thinks that the team will ultimately go on to win the competition.

"On the current form, with Rashford being as good as he is and one of the best players in the world, we can win the Europa League," he said.

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Panic alarms won't be sounded at Manchester United if they fail to beat Barcelona and Newcastle this week, says Laurie Whitwell, who covers Erik ten Hag's side for The Athletic.

Speaking before Thursday's Europa League play-off second leg against Barcelona, he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily: "It’s evenly poised, but I feel United have got a unison about them, a sort of creative teamwork that they can figure out different moments in games and bring different chances to the table.

"Even if the match goes away from them, they will be able to figure it out.

"People can see there is something building under Erik ten Hag. He seems very calm in press conferences. He understands these are two huge games. If they go and beat Barcelona and beat Newcastle, that is a rubber stamp on what a brilliant first season he has had.

"It could go the other way and the champagne could be put on ice, but I feel it is beyond that. He has a great group of players here that understand their roles and he has been so good with the discipline that the building blocks are in place for future success."

Hear more from 23'35 on BBC Sounds

By the end of the evening 16 teams will be whittled down to eight, but who will they meet in the last 16?

Here are the teams that qualified top of their Europa League groups and are already in the hat for the last-16 draw.

• Arsenal
• Betis
• Fenerbahce
• Ferencvaros
• Feyenoord
• Freiburg
• Real Sociedad
• Union Saint-Gilloise

The draw takes place on Friday.

A reminder that all the sides in action this evening are competing for a spot in the Europa League last 16.

Barca went out of their Champions League group stage for the second consecutive season while Manchester United's second-placed finish in their Europa League group has provided this extra play-off to navigate.

These two are used to coming up against each other in Champions Leagues, but here we are.

Image source, Getty Images

Barcelona manager Xavi: "It's a really tough game, Manchester United are one of the best teams in Europe and they are showing it.

"It's the best Manchester United over the last few years and a great bit of work that Erik ten Hag has done.

"At the Nou Camp they showed a great passion and we have to match that. It's a tough stadium to go to and we have to show the personality, play the way we can and be very intense during the game.

"The mentality is what we need to play a game like this. Manchester United are still up there with Manchester City and Arsenal [in the Premier League] so it's a perfect stage to show Barcelona can compete with these teams."

Erik ten Hag has been pretty clear what is required from Manchester United ahead of this second leg - they must produce their "best performance this season" to beat Barcelona and reach the Europa League last 16.

The sides shared a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp on 16 February and now meet again to decide the tie.

"When you face such big teams as Barcelona you have to play your best, otherwise you don't have a chance," said Ten Hag.

United, who have not won a trophy since 2017, play Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

They are third in the Premier League - five points behind leaders Arsenal - and face West Ham United in the FA Cup fifth round on 1 March.

"We have the opportunity," said Ten Hag, who took over last summer.

"But the first focus point is always the next game and we can't win the (Europa League) trophy this week.

"We have to keep in the same mindset that every day we want to give a better version of ourselves."

Here is what's on the menu this evening:

FC Midjylland v Sporting Lisbon (agg 1-1) 17:45 GMT

Monaco v Bayer Leverkusen (agg 3-2) 17:45 GMT

Nantes v Juventus (agg 1-1) 17:45 GMT

PSV Eindhoven v Sevilla (agg 0-3) 17:45 GMT

Union Berlin v Ajax (agg 0-0) 20:00 GMT

Manchester United v Barcelona (agg 2-2) 20:00 GMT

Rennes v Shakhtar Donetsk (agg 2-2) 20:00 GMT

Roma v RB Salzburg (agg 0-1) 20:00 GMT

That's right it's the one you've all been waiting for.

Tonight, Manchester United host Barcelona in the second leg of their Europa League play-off tie for a chance of booking their place in the last 16.

But first we have four other games to start you off before the main course at 20:00 GMT.

So, what are we waiting for?

Two fallen giants of European football looking to rebuild their reputations.

Last week they delivered a four-goal thriller in Barcelona, but now it is finely poised in Manchester.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images