Here are your Manchester United evening headlines for Thursday, May 12.
24.04.2022 - 16:45 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Barcelona manager Xavi namedropped Manchester United when outlining what must not happen to the Catalans while he is in charge. The Barca legend returned to the Nou Camp as manager in November and has helped to push them right back up the La Liga standings.
Xavi replaced Ronald Koeman in the dugout with Barcelona languishing in ninth spot. They are now sitting second, although it has not been all plain-sailing since the World Cup winner headed back to the place where he became a worldwide figure and serial trophy winner as a player.
Barcelona sit 15 points behind El Clasico rivals Real Madrid — albeit with a game to spare — and were eliminated from the Europa League by Eintracht Frankfurt, after failing to make the Champions League knockout stages.
READ MORE: Manchester United loanee Amad opens up on racist abuse he has suffered
Yet a place in the Champions League next season now awaits on account of their recent league form and Xavi, while demanding patience for what he wants to achieve long-term, cited United and their ongoing struggles as a reference point for Barcelona's topsy-turvy campaign.
United have not won a trophy since they scooped the Europa League under Jose Mourinho in 2017.
He said: "It's our reality. This is the post-[Lionel] Messi era. He used to win games on his own. We have to be patient. I'm excited to win trophies, but we have to strengthen. We have to be realistic.
"We're in the first year of the post-Messi era and we've got to be patient. We've seen a lot of great teams, like at Manchester United, it's been hard for them to come back, to qualify for the Champions League. Barca can't allow that. We have to fight for trophies, we want to compete."
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss
Here are your Manchester United evening headlines for Thursday, May 12.
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has remained coy on the future of Manchester United loanee Amad, insisting he is unsure if he will return to the club next season.
Manchester United are weighing up a potential £75million move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Pep Guardiola believes that Manchester City are unfairly criticised for their transfer spending compared to rivals Liverpool and Manchester United.
Gary Neville says Jesse Lingard did not deserve an Old Trafford farewell after he watched two Manchester United favourites, Bryan Robson and Steve Bruce, sent on their way without such treatment. Lingard is about to run down his United contract after 20 years with the club.
Incoming manager Erik ten Hag will not be able to come straight in and perform a 'quick fix' at Manchester United, due to the fundamental problems that await him. That's the damning message from ex-United captain turned pundit, Rio Ferdinand, as he offered up an honest take on the current situation at Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo has thanked fans for voting him as Manchester United’s April player of the month.
Manchester United’s young players have been urged to impress Erik ten Hag in next week’s FA Youth Cup final.
Konrad Laimer is looking forward to being reunited with Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick when the German steps in as coach of the Austria national team. Rangnick will take on that role in conjunction with him moving upstairs as a consultant for the Old Trafford giants.
Barcelona head coach Xavi has admitted that Frenkie de Jong is a "very important player" in his plans for both the here and now and for the future amid ongoing links with a move to Manchester United.
West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice has been told to avoid Manchester United 'at all costs' amid interest from the club.
Gary Neville has agreed with Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick's 'open-heart surgery' claim and highlighted the need for patience in light of Erik ten Hag's appointment.
Cristiano Ronaldo has thanked Manchester United's supporters for their backing during Thursday evening's 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford.
David de Gea says he feels 'embarrassed' and 'horrible' amid Manchester United's dreadful form.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel admits he does not feel sorry for Ralf Rangnick as the Manchester United interim manager continues to live out a lifelong dream at Old Trafford. Rangnick stepped into the breach when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in November and is set to remain in post until the end of this season.
Former Flamengo academy coach Carlos Noval has revealed that Manchester United sent a scout to watch now-Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior when he was just 14 back in 2015.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has shared the bizarre advice Ralf Rangnick once gave him as a player, as the two German coaches prepare for their first meeting in the dugout on Thursday night. Before an injury cut short his playing career, Tuchel spent 18 months under the now Manchester United interim boss at SSV Ulm.
Rio Ferdinand has hailed Manchester United's legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and detailed what made the 80-year-old so great.
Manchester United supporters are optimistic that Brandon Williams will get an opportunity to prove his worth to Erik ten Hag next season.
Manchester United are in the midst of a major rebuild in a bid to change their fortunes after years of mismanagement behind the scenes and disappointment on the pitch. This season marks five since the club last won a trophy and nearly a decade since they last won the league and something needs to change.