Xavi warned Barcelona they must deal with "one of the most dangerous players in Europe" in Marcus Rashford when they host Manchester United on Thursday.

The two European heavyweights will face off in the Europa League at Camp Nou in the first leg as the pair bid for a place in the last 16.

Runaway LaLiga leaders Barca have been in fine form, winning 11 straight games in all competitions since the start of 2023 ahead of the high-profile clash in UEFA's secondary club competition.

But the Blaugrana will have to deal with the in-form Rashford, who has scored 13 times in 15 games since the World Cup, and Xavi acknowledged the danger the England international will pose.

"In the transition he is very, very dangerous, so we need to take care of all of them but especially Rashford," the Barca coach said on Wednesday at his pre-match press conference.

"He's one of the most dangerous players now in Europe."

While Barca will be tasked with coping against the resurgent Rashford, United will get a taste of what could have had when they face Frenkie de Jong.

Erik ten Hag's side tried and failed to sign the Netherlands international in the transfer window ahead of the 2022-23 season, with the Dutchman subsequently emerging as a key cog in Xavi's midfield.

"Frenkie is an incredible player and for every club in the whole world he will strengthen the squad because he has a unique quality," said Ten Hag, who managed De Jong during his time as Ajax coach.

"If you can get him in the squad your team will be stronger. In Spain, he became even better.

"He's a fantastic player, plays out from the back, he always has time and it was a pleasure to work with him."

Erik ten Hag believes the fact Manchester United and Barcelona are meeting in the Europa League is proof both clubs "needed a reset".

The Red Devils and Barca have won eight European Cups between them – three for United and five for the Catalan giants – but are currently battling it out in UEFA's secondary competition.

Both sides have taken big strides forward this season, though, with the Blaugrana top of LaLiga under Xavi and United third in the Premier League with an EFL Cup final on the horizon.

United travel to Camp Nou for the first leg of their play-off tie on Thursday, and Ten Hag says United and Barca must accept their current predicament.

"I think both clubs have the ambition to be in the Champions League and to have an impact in it," he said at Wednesday's pre-match press conference. 

"To make the semi-finals and even win it, but the reality is we're in the Europa League, which shows both clubs needed a reset. 

"I think it's exciting to face each other tomorrow night because it will help both clubs. With such tests, you get better."

United have won 12 of their 15 matches since the World Cup break, losing just one of those, while Barca have won 11 games in a row.

Xavi's side have already lifted the Supercopa de Espana this year and are 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga.

"It's clear when you see the stats of Barcelona, it's impressive," Ten Hag said. "They defend well, but I think their biggest skill is they have so much possession.

"Barca is a difficult club to manage, but they are playing their best football for several years. You can see [Johan] Cruyff's influence here."

United have lost their past four meetings with Barcelona – not since losing five in a row against Liverpool between 2000 and 2002 have they been on a worse run against a club.

The Red Devils travel to Catalonia without injured trio Antony, Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay, while Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek are long-term absentees.

Marcel Sabitzer and Lisandro Martinez are suspended, meanwhile, meaning Luke Shaw may be asked to play at centre-back once again.

"We have many options I think to sort it out," Ten Hag said of Martinez's absence. "We can use Luke as a full-back and centre-back. 

"We saw at the weekend [against Leeds United] he did both. We can choose by game what we prefer."

Midfield enforcer Casemiro will be available, having been banned for their past two games.

Versatile defender Shaw says United missed the Brazil international in their back-to-back league meetings with Leeds, which they drew 2-2 and won 2-0.

"I think it's obvious to see how important he is to the team," Shaw said. "For us as defenders, it gives us a feeling of security. He loves to win the ball back and tackle. 

"We joke he likes to give the ball away, so he can win it back. I'm very happy to have him back tomorrow night because he's been a big miss for us."

Erling Haaland was selected to start for Manchester City in Wednesday's vital clash with Arsenal, who were without midfielder Thomas Partey.

Haaland came off at half-time of City's 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, with Pep Guardiola explaining after the game the striker had picked up a knock that made him unsure of his availability for the clash with the Gunners.

But Premier League top scorer Haaland was named to lead the line for City at Emirates Stadium, with Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish named on the wings while Kevin De Bruyne started in midfield.

After seemingly filling in at left-back off the ball against Villa, Bernardo Silva seemed set to play a similar role against the Gunners, with Nathan Ake, Kyle Walker and Ruben Dias selected in defence.

Partey's precautionary absence due to a tight muscle meant Jorginho, signed from Chelsea in the January window, was called in for his first start for Arsenal.

Oleksandr Zinchenko was selected to feature against his former team in the Premier League for the first time, though he did come on against City in the 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round defeat last month.

A victory for City would see them move above the Gunners and top the Premier League table on goal difference.

Iga Swiatek started the defence of her Qatar Open title by taking less than an hour to beat Danielle Collins on Wednesday.

Playing for the first time since she was knocked out of the Australian Open by Elena Rybakina in the fourth round last month, normal service was resumed by the domineering world number one in Doha.

The top seed brushed Collins aside in only 53 minutes, racing to a 6-0 6-1 victory to march into the third round.

Collins only won four points as she suffered the misery of a first-set bagel, an inspired Swiatek taking the opener in only 21 minutes.

Swiatek's run of games won was ended at nine when Collins got on the board at 3-1, but the Pole broke for a fifth time before serving it out for an emphatic victory.

The 21-year-old three-time grand slam champion, who made only six unforced errors, will do battle with Belinda Bencic for a place in the quarter-finals.

Bencic beat two-time champion Victoria Azarenka 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 to take her place in the last 16, storming back from 4-1 down in the second set when she appeared to be on her way out.

Second seed Jessica Pegula saved two match puts as she dug deep to beat Jelena Ostapenko 6-2 2-6 7-5 to set up a meeting with Beatriz Haddad Maia, who beat Daria Kasatkina in straight sets.

Fourth seed Coco Gauff got the better of Petra Kvitova 6-3 7-6 (8-6), while Veronika Kudermetova and Maria Sakkari also made it through.

Xavi never doubted Frenkie de Jong's commitment to Barcelona amid speculation linking the midfielder with a move to Manchester United last year.

United identified De Jong, who came through at Ajax under Erik ten Hag, as a priority target ahead of their new manager's first season in charge.

A move never materialised, with United instead buying Casemiro from Real Madrid.

Casemiro has gone on to solidify himself as one of the most impressive midfielders in the Premier League, but ahead of Thursday's Europa League encounter between United and Barca, Xavi said De Jong never wanted to leave the Blaugrana.

"I think he was really clear to me: he wanted to stay with us. So there was no doubt," Xavi said at a press conference.

"Now he's our player, I’m really happy and satisfied with his performances, his leadership. He's in a very good moment, like all the team.

"I think Frenkie is enjoying on the pitch and this is the most important thing."

De Jong has played 26 games for Barca this season, starting 20 and scoring twice.

Xavi's version of events tallies with reports from the time that suggested Barca were attempting to push the midfielder towards a transfer, rather than the other way around, in order to ease their financial issues.

Thursday's encounter with United at Camp Nou has been overshadowed by allegations of Barca having paid €1.4million to a company part-owned by former LaLiga referee Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira between 2016 and 2018.

Barca president Joan Laporta vowed to "defend the honour and interests of Barcelona", saying it was "no coincidence" the allegations had come out with the Blaugrana sitting 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga.

Jude Bellingham would be a "perfect" signing for Manchester United, according to former Red Devils goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

Bellingham has played 161 times for Borussia Dortmund and Birmingham City, and is one of Europe's hottest prospects after an impressive World Cup with England.

The 19-year-old starred for the Three Lions in Qatar, becoming the only teenager behind Michael Owen in 1998 to start a knockout game at the tournament in the 3-0 round-of-16 victory over Senegal.

He marked it with a sensational performance too, playing a big role in all three goals and providing an assist, making him the youngest England player to do so in a World Cup game since 1966.

Bellingham has also played a key role for Dortmund at club level, scoring a team-high 10 goals in 27 appearances this season while ranking second for assists (six) and third in chances created (28).

That incredible form at such a young age has predictably garnered much interest in securing his services. Real Madrid are reported to be interested, while Liverpool and Manchester City are also rumoured to be keen on the midfielder.

However, Schmeichel believes it could be United who beat their rivals to Bellingham's signature, but only if they are to finish in the Champions League places this season.

Schmeichel also feels Liverpool's increasingly unlikely chances of finishing in the top four, as well as the Premier League charging City with financial breaches, could help United's chances of bringing Bellingham to Old Trafford.

"He would be perfect for us," Schmeichel told Goal. "But we're not attractive enough [right now] because we're not in that position.

"But you can imagine a situation where Liverpool aren't in the Champions League and Manchester United are, then all of a sudden we might be more attractive.

"And of course with the situation of Man City as well, we might be that club, so it's very important for us now to keep on track steadily."

United sit third in the Premier League, holding a seven-point lead over fifth-placed Tottenham as they bid to secure Champions League qualification for next season.

The Red Devils travel to face Barcelona on Thursday in the Europa League looking to reach the last 16, and Schmeichel believes a good performance in Europe can evidence United's resurgence after finishing with their lowest-ever Premier League points tally last season.

"Of course, we want to do well in Europe," Schmeichel added. "We want to do well in Europe because we want to show the footballing world that Manchester United, we're on our way back.

"It's taken a long time. We're on our way back. We're not rushing, but we are on our way back and we are an attractive place for the greatest footballers of this world to come and play for us."

Mitchell Starc would like to be "further down the road" with his recovery from a finger injury but the Australia quick feels he has a "good chance" of being fit for the second Test against India.

Starc has been out since suffering an injury blow during the victory over South Africa in the Boxing Day Test.

The left-armer joined up with his team-mates in Delhi as they prepare for a second Test that starts at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday following a hammering by an innings and 132 runs in the opener in Nagpur.

Starc's injury has not healed as quickly as he had hoped, but the paceman thinks he could still make his return when the tourists attempt to hit back in the battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

He said: "There's still a fair bit of restriction there. Still lacking a bit of strength having been in a splint for six weeks.

"But it's progressing - not as fast as I would have liked, but it's as planned in terms of the medical stuff. There's a few boxes to tick, but it's on track.

"I'd like to be a little further down the road.

"Still a good chance. It'll come down to how it reacts by the end of the day, how the medical staff see it, how the selectors and Pat [Cummins] and Ronnie [Andrew McDonald] feel about it as well.

"I'll do everything I can to be fully available for selection. Then it's a discussion for the rest of the group involved."

All-rounder Cameron Green is also hoping to make his comeback in the second Test after being sidelined by a broken finger.

Batter Shreyas Iyer is back in the India squad after recovering from a back injury.

Michael Jordan has made a $10million donation to Make-A-Wish America.

The legendary basketball star turns 60 on Friday and to celebrate he has pledged the largest individual donation in Make-A-Wish history.

Jordan, who is the chief wish ambassador for the charity, has supported the foundation since 1989.

The foundation was founded in 1980 and helps fulfil the wishes of children with a critical illness between the ages of two-and-a-half and 18 years old.

A tweet from Make-A-Wish America's official Twitter account said Jordan's "birthday wish is to inspire others to help grant more wishes".

France prop Uini Atonio has received a three-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Ireland hooker Rob Herring in Saturday's Six Nations showdown in Dublin.

Atonio was issued only a yellow card by referee Wayne Barnes during the first half of France's 32-19 defeat to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

The 32-year-old's high challenge forced Herring off the field for a head injury assessment and he did not rejoin the game.

A Six Nations statement on Wednesday confirmed Atonio has been suspended for France's remaining games against Scotland, England and Wales.

He may return to face Wales, though, as an independent judicial committee granted an application by La Rochelle player Atonio to take part in a coaching intervention programme.

"The player admitted that he had committed an act of foul play worthy of a red card," a Six Nations statement read.

"Having reviewed all the evidence, the committee accepted the player's admission that the tackle on Ireland number two was foul play.

"His shoulder made contact with Ireland number two's neck/face as described in the citing commissioner's report, and therefore reached the red-card threshold."

Ireland's victory over last year's Grand Slam winners France leaves them level with Scotland on 10 points at the top of the table.

Andy Farrell's side return to action a week on Saturday with a trip to Italy, before concluding their campaign against Scotland and England.

Birmingham City have said they are "appalled and saddened" after it was alleged that one of their own fans racially abused captain Troy Deeney after Tuesday's home defeat to Cardiff City.

Deeney came on as a substitute at St Andrew's in the 73rd minute with the game goalless, before late strikes from Perry Ng and Callum Robinson gave the Welsh side a much-needed 2-0 win.

The Midlands club issued a statement on Wednesday revealing that the player and several of their fans had reported someone racially abusing Deeney after the match.

"After the full-time whistle of Tuesday night's Sky Bet Championship match against Cardiff City, Troy Deeney and a number of supporters have reported hearing the 34-year-old subjected to racist abuse," the statement read.

"The club captain and those inside St Andrew's identified this as coming from the home section of the Gil Merrick lower when players were leaving the field of play towards the players' tunnel.

"This incident has been referred to the relevant authorities and the club will assist in their investigation. 

"Blues gives its full support to Troy and is appalled and saddened that yet again, one of our players is not safe from discrimination on the football pitch.

"There is no room for racism in the game. No further comment will be made at this time."

Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge recently reported he had been racially abused by opposition fans during Birmingham's FA Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers.

Deeney joined the Blues from Watford in 2021 after 12 seasons at Vicarage Road, six of which were in the Premier League where he scored 47 goals in 165 top-flight appearances.

And the Premier League echoed Birmingham's comments, tweeting: "No one should have to suffer abuse of the kind received by Troy Deeney.

"It has no place in football or society. The Premier League condemns all forms of discrimination. Football is for everyone."

Germany great Jurgen Klinsmann believes Toni Kroos is an "exceptional player" who can remain at the top level with Real Madrid for another four seasons.

Kroos has made 395 appearance and won a remarkable 18 trophies – including the Champions League four times – for Madrid during nine seasons with the club.

The 33-year-old remains a key player for the LaLiga giants, starting 26 of their 34 games this term – only Federico Valverde (29) and Vinicius Junior (32) have started more often.

However, the midfielder's contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expires at the end of this season and he stated last week he will not rush into making a decision on his future.

Kroos has made clear he will not join another club after he brings an end to his Madrid career, and Klinsmann is hopeful he will hold off from retiring for many more years.

"What he has achieved in the last 10 or 15 years is truly fabulous," Klinsmann told Stats Perform. "He's won it all. I don't even know how many trophies he has won. 

"He is an exceptional player who can manage his energies not only for 90 minutes but up to 120, giving it all for Real Madrid. 

"He could easily play at this level for another three or four seasons, even more since he unfortunately retired from the German national team to save further energy. 

"I hope he can go on playing because it would be sad for him to quit so soon."

Kroos' influence has once again been clear for Los Blancos this season, with his 1,219 completed passes the most of any player in LaLiga, despite missing three games.

He also ranks highest in the division for passes attempted per 90 minutes (94) – 11 more than any other player – among those to have featured more than twice. 

Commenting on his future after helping Madrid to another Club World Cup title last weekend, Kroos said: "I will end my career here.

"I just don't know exactly when yet. I'm thinking about it. It won't take many more months, but there is still no decision."

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) have distanced themselves from former LaLiga referee Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira in the wake of allegations involving Barcelona.

LaLiga giants Barca are alleged to have paid €1.4million to a company part-owned by Negreira between 2016 and 2018.

Negreira, who was the vice president of the CTA, held his role with the RFEF from 1994 to 2018. It is alleged Barca wanted to ensure "that there would be complete neutrality" in refereeing decisions affecting the club.

Barca responded with a statement on Wednesday saying they had hired the services of an external consultant that supplied the club's technical secretaries with reports in video format of youth players from other clubs in Spain.

The Blaugrana added that "the relationship with that supplier extended to technical reports related to professional refereeing in order to complement the information requested by the first and second team coaching staff. This a common practice among professional football clubs."

Barca revealed they would be taking legal action against "those who are trying to tarnish the club's image with possible insinuations against its good reputation that could be caused by the release of such information."

However, the RFEF issued a statement distancing itself and the CTA from any links with Negreira since he left his role five years ago, and vowed to support any investigation into the matter.

"The CTA wants to make it clear that Mr Enriquez Negreira is not part of any federative structure since the change of government carried out after the 2018 elections," a statement issued on RFEF's official website read.

"The CTA regrets the behaviours that may be likely to violate the ethics of the establishment. No active arbitrator or member of the CTA bodies may carry out any work that is likely to enter into a conflict of interest. 

"The CTA makes itself available to offer its maximum collaboration in any type of information that this committee can provide."

Barca president Joan Laporta said it was "no coincidence" that the allegations had come to light with the Blaugrana sitting 11 points clear at the top of LaLiga.