#1 Barcelona’s recent record in UEFA Champions League
One factor which will please United’s faithful the most is Barcelona’s recent record in the UEFA Champions League. Barcelona has not made it past the quarter-finals stage since the 2015 season.
In 2016, Atletico Madrid did the job to see off Barcelona before Juventus did the same in 2017. While their most embarrassing defeat came against the Roma side when the Romans coming back from 4-1 down in the first leg to defeat the Catalans 3-0 in the second leg of the quarter-finals.
Going into the tie, United are surely the underdogs, and they are aware of the pressure on Messi and co. to deliver on the grandest stage. If they can maintain this pressure on Barcelona and put on an effective attacking display, then Barcelona may crumble to the pressure once again.