Manchester United to play Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League

Manchester United will play Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. As a reward for the hilarious defeat of Neymar’s new club, United get the chance to try and knock out his old one. It’s nothing personal, Mr. Jr. We promise.

Obviously Barca will be favourites, thanks to (a) Lionel Messi and (b) the fact that they’re having a far more sensible season. But lets take the positives. These are the games the competition is all about, and another chance to watch Messi is never a bad thing. Also, Solskjaer, the Camp Nou ... that has a certain ring to it.

Most importantly, it’s not an all-English game. Those things are nightmares.

Elsewhere in the draw, Spurs and City did get the dodgy all-England tie, while Liverpool will be favourites to beat Porto. Perhaps the most interesting game will be Ajax against Juventus, as the thrilling Dutch youngsters get another opportunity to show up some ancient aristocrats.

UEFA also drew the semi-finals today, and there things might get more annoying. If United do make it past Barcelona, they’ll face the winners of Liverpool vs. Porto. But that’s a problem for another day. Bring on Barcelona.

Full draw

Quarter-finals:

- Ajax vs. Juventus
- Liverpool vs. Porto
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester City
- Manchester United vs. Barcelona

First legs on 9th/10th April, return fixtures 16th/17th.

Semi-finals:

- Tottenham/City vs. Ajax/Juventus
- United/Barca vs. Liverpool/Porto

First legs 30th April/1st May, return fixtures 7th/8th May.