Manchester United come up against Barcelona in a huge quarter-final clash, having been drawn against each other on Friday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United have been in brilliant form since he took over in the middle of December.
Their biggest triumph came at the expense of Paris Saint-Germain, who United overcame in the last 16 of Europe’s elite competition.
But since then, Solskjaer’s men have lost two games on the trot – to Arsenal and Wolves in the FA Cup.
Barcelona are on course to storm La Liga this year, as they sit top of the league, seven points clear of Atletico Madrid with a game in hand.
And although many regard United as underdogs for their glamour tie with Barca, Valverde doesn’t see it that way.
“The tie against United is really difficult,” he said.
“They’re a side with a lot history, they’re in good form and it will be an even and open tie.
“We’re not favourites. We have to be careful because they never give up.
“They came back against Paris Saint-Germain. It will be an attractive tie for the public.
“I don’t think the factor of playing home or away is as decisive as it was before.
“In the last eight there are four teams that finished second in their group, so played the second legs in the last round away.”
The last time the two sides came up against each other was in 2011, when Barca ousted United 3-1 in the Champions League final.
They did the same to United just two years earlier – also in the final – with a 2-0 victory.
Lionel Messi scored in both games as Barca staked their claim as the most dominant side in Europe.
With their win over PSG, United reached their first Champions League quarter-final since 2013/14 when David Moyes was at the Old Trafford helm.
