Manchester United vs Barcelona records: Know who fared better in this fixture

European football’s heavyweights Manchester United and Barcelona are two of the most successful clubs in world football.

A dominant force in England, Manchester United is the most successful English team with 20 league titles, 12 FA Cups, five League Cups and three Champions League titles. 

Barcelona, on the other hand, are the second most successful team in Spain with 26 league titles. They also boast 31 Copa del Rey titles - the most by any team - and five Champions League titles. 

Interestingly, two of Barcelona’s Champions League triumphs came after beating Manchester United in the final in 2008-09 and 2010-11.

However, these two encounters aren’t the only matches contested between the two European powerhouses. Over the years, United have squared off against Barcelona in European competitions like the UEFA European Cup Winners Cup, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

Here’s a look at how both these teams have fared against each other in the above competition. 

Manchester United vs Barcelona head-to-head, stats and records

Manchester United vs Barcelona - head-to-head record in all competitions 

Manchester United have squared off against Barcelona on 15 occasions with the Red Devils winning four times and the Catalans emerging triumphant six times. Five games between these two sides ended in draws.

Manchester United vs Barcelona - head-to-head record in UEFA Champions League

The Red Devils have met Barcelona 10 times in the UEFA Champions League. Out of which, United have won just once in 2008 when a Paul Scholes goal in the second leg of a UEFA Champions League semi-final put the English club in the final. United went on to win that final in what remains their last Champions League triumph.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have traditionally outperformed United in European football’s showpiece competition. They’ve beaten United five times in European football’s premier tournament, including in two finals as mentioned above.

Manchester United vs Barcelona - head-to-head record in UEFA European Cup Winners Cup

In the now defunct UEFA European Cup Winners Cup, Manchester United had the upper hand against Barcelona. The Red Devils beat the Catalans twice in the competition and lost once. One of United’s wins in this tournament was in the 1991 final, where a Mark Hughes brace gave the English side a win.

Manchester United vs Barcelona - head-to-head record in UEFA Europa League

Manchester United have squared off against Barcelona twice in the UEFA Europa League so far.

The first game ended in a 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou and the match set a Europa League attendance record of 90,255 fans in the stadium. In the second leg of the same tie, Man United won 2-1 at Old Trafford.

What is the biggest win in Manchester United vs Barcelona?

The biggest win in matches featuring Manchester United and Barcelona is the Catalans’ 4-0 victory against the Red Devils in a 1994 UEFA Champions League group stage game.

Most goals in Manchester United vs Barcelona?

Lionel Messi has scored more goals than any other player in the Manchester United versus Barcelona games. Messi has found the back of the net four times against the 20-time English champions. For United, no other player has scored more goals against Barca than Mark Hughes, who struck thrice in games against the Catalan giants.

Photo credits: Alamy