Andy Cole has explained his reaction after Manchester United were drawn to face Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side stunned French champions PSG last month to reach the last-eight, but their task in Europe has not been made any easier as they were drawn against Barca.
Club legend Cole was United’s ambassador at the draw in Nyon and was seen facepalming when he discovered his former side would be taking on Barcelona.
Reflecting on the draw, Cole – who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League at Old Trafford – told The Sun: ‘I said to one of the lads, “We’re going to get Barcelona”.
Andy Cole’s face when he realises Man Utd have got Barca ? pic.twitter.com/Ir7tsvlANH
— Jack Beesley (@BeezerJack07) March 15, 2019
‘It’s a strange thing, it’s fate, it’s 20 years on, and we get Barcelona. I knew it. But anything is possible in football matches.
‘United have proven that against PSG and, yes, they are going to have to play extremely well because Barcelona have that impish genius Messi.
‘I think he gets better as he gets older. If he has an off night or is injured, you never know what can happen.
‘You can’t keep a player like that quiet. If he wants to turn up, he will turn up. If he doesn’t want to turn up, he will still turn up. He’s that good.’
Solskjaer, appointed Manchester United permanent manager last month, scored his legendary winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final at the Nou Camp.
And, speaking to United’s official website after the draw, he said: ‘Yes, it had to be [Barcelona]!
‘I’ve had so many texts from friends saying this year is going to be the year that we’ll get through because of my number, 20, and it being 20 years ago.
‘We’re off to the Nou Camp again!’
Manchester United face Barcelona at Old Trafford in the first leg of the quarter-final clash on Wednesday evening.
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