Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany, Nov. 3, 2021 (Reuters)

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez on Thursday showered praise on Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag ahead of their teams' clash in the Europa League.

Ten Hag, Ajax's former coach, took over at Old Trafford last summer after the team finished sixth in the Premier League, and this season they are third, with one defeat in the last 17 games across all competitions.

"Ten Hag is a great coach," Xavi told reporters Wednesday. "Turning around Man United's situation was not easy and he is doing it," he noted.

"They [Manchester United] are a very tough opponent tomorrow and he is a very interesting coach for me. He changes things up, the pivot can move, a lot of players join the attack, he's an attacking coach," the Spaniard added.

Ten Hag is "a reference point for coaches that like this type of football," Xavi considered.

Barcelona have gone 16 matches unbeaten across all competitions, winning the Spanish Super Cup in January and stretching their La Liga lead to 11 points.

Xavi underlined that the Europa League clash "is a spectacular game for fans, the two teams are arriving at their best moment of form in the season."

"Ten Hag has changed the face of their team. They have a lot of tools. It will be a game with a lot of intensity, Premier League teams are very physical," he pointed out, adding, "They are a top level European opponent, it's a great game."

It is noteworthy that Manchester United have not lifted a trophy since winning the Europa League in 2017.