Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi would like to have played for Manchester United

Xavi was in the 2011 Champions League final against Manchester United

Xavi, in an interview with Eurosport spoke about the attraction of the Premier League and particularly the draw of Manchester United because of their history, The Mirror reported. He mentioned many big English clubs but singled out Manchester United among them.

The Spaniard recently chose to move away from Barcelona where he played almost all his career and currently is wearing the colours of Qatari club Al Sadd. The 35-year-old was among the stalwarts at Barcelona for a number of years and won a host of trophies at his time with the Catalan club becoming among the most awarded players at the club. He formed quite a legendary understanding with his midfield partner Andres Iniesta but, unfortunately saw a declined role at the club last season when they won the treble.

Speaking recently, he revealed that everything about the Premier League is an incredibly attractive destination. The former Barcelona man told Eurosport: “To be honest, the Premier League attracts any player. It’s wonderful.

“The stadiums, the grass, the fans, how they live football. Everything is wonderful.

"When it comes to the big teams, Chelsea, Manchester United, Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, teams with history.”

When further pressed about the Premier League team that he personally would have liked to play for he went on to say, “A team with history. Either Manchester United or Liverpool.

“I know that other teams like Man City have emerged more recently, but, Manchester United are my favourite historically speaking.”

With ex-Barcelona boss Louis van Gaal incharge at the English club, it may not have been an unlikely destination for the now Al Sadd player. But Xavi chose to go to the Qatari club instead and apply his La Masia philosophy there.

Meanwhile Barcelona have been stuttering following a fair start to the La Liga season. Two losses coming in the league against Celta Vigo and Sevilla have set the reigning Spanish champions back a few notches. The situation isn’t ideal for Luis Enrique as he is without the talismanic Lionel Messi who is currently recovering from an injury.

They are set to face Rayo immediately after the international break and will then go on to meet BATE in the Champions League. While these results would spell crisis for many clubs, Barca will surely be backed widely to return from what they will consider a minor setback in the defense of their treble.