Manchester United return to Europa League action this evening when they take on Barcelona in the first leg of their play-off tie.
Having finished second in Group E behind Real Sociedad late last year, United were drawn into a play-off with those who fell out of the Champions League group stages for a place in the last-16. And a draw against Barcelona was arguably the toughest of the lot.
The Reds will walk out at the Camp Nou this evening before hosting the La Liga leaders at Old Trafford next week, and while previous European away-days were so focused on grabbing that potentially crucial away goal, that will not be the case any longer.
LIVE: Barcelona vs United build-up, early team news and live commentary
That is because at the start of the 2021/2022 campaign, UEFA made the decision to abolish the rule entirely, removing one of the Europa League's most infamous deciding factors. Should honours be even in M16 by around 9.50pm next Thursday, then the tie will go to extra-time and potentially penalties to determine a winner.
“The impact of the rule was running counter to its original purpose,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said at the time of the decision. “It was dissuading the home teams - especially in first legs - from attacking, because they feared conceding a goal that would give their opponents a crucial advantage.”
The rule change was in place for last season's continental competition, although rendered unnecessary for United as they lost 1-0 at home to Atletico Madrid, following a 1-1 draw in Spain a fortnight prior.
Erik ten Hag will be without both Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer for tonight's first leg with both serving a one-game suspension, while Casemiro will enjoy break in his own three-match ban by returning to the ground he battled so often in with Real Madrid.
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