Twitter erupts as Cristiano Ronaldo is set to face Barcelona in the Europa League with Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United have been drawn against Barcelona in the Europa League knockout round play-offs, and Twitter has erupted.

The Red Devils could only finish second in Group E of the Europa League, with Real Sociedad claiming top spot with a superior goal difference of one.

Meanwhile, Barcelona finished third in Group C of the Champions League, with Bayern Munich winning the group and Inter Milan pipping them to second place.

UEFA introduced the knockout round playoffs last season.

It sees a side that finished third in the Europa League group stages face a side that were relegated from third place in the Champions League group stages.

The tie neutrals had hoped to see has been drawn - Manchester United will now go up against Barcelona in a blockbuster encounter.

The last time the two sides met in Europe was in the Champions League campaign of 2018-19.

Barcelona came out on top on that occasion with a 4-0 aggregate quarter-final victory.

Cristiano Ronaldo will return to the Nou Camp, where he spent years battling Barca with Real Madrid in the El Clasico.

He boasts a record of 20 goals in 34 appearances against the Blaugrana in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Juventus, who finished third behind Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica in Group H of the Champions League, have drawn Ligue 1 outfit Nantes.

Cristiano Ronaldo's former side Sporting CP will face Danish side Midtjylland.

Shakhtar Donetsk will go head-to-head with Stade Rennais.

Ajax, who came closest to winning the Europa League in 2017 when they lost to Manchester United in the final, face the impressive Union Berlin.

Lastly, Bayer Leverkusen will square off against AS Monaco.

However, all eyes will be on Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo's return to the Nou Camp to face Barcelona in a tantalizing clash.

Here are some reactions from Twitter:

🇪🇸 Barcelona vs Manchester United 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

#UELdraw https://t.co/kG6YiYq6Io

Manchester United and Ronaldo will face FC Barcelona in the Europa League.

FC BARCELONA vs. MANCHESTER UNITED
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

Just wrap Varane and Martial up for that Barca tie and we’re fine

@Cristiano life is offering you a new chance to wake up ! This is time !

Manchester United will take on FC Barcelona in the UEFA Europa League play-offs.

A tremendous fall from grace from both clubs.

There's no way that among 8 teams in a pot FC Barcelona gets Manchester united by chance.😂
#UELdraw

Man UTD vs Fc Barcelona is bigger than any UCL fixture lmao

🔴 Europa League draw: Barcelona-Manchester United. #UEL #FCB #MUFC

Frenkie goes to Hollinwood 👋 #UELdraw https://t.co/hae6JfTmih

Barcelona v Manchester United! #UELDraw https://t.co/mbGa1eTDI8

This is actually better than the UCL matches 👀 #UELdraw https://t.co/kmxqrgBhv9

Barcelona v Manchester United

What we all wanted 😂👏🏾

#JoySports | #UELdraw https://t.co/JjndZJTs92

Barcelona fans after realizing they will be playing Manchester United in the Europa league. 😉

#GTVSports #UELdraw https://t.co/DBltT4AX08

Cristiano Ronaldo will own Barcelona again in his backyard ground Camp Nou.
#UELdraw https://t.co/3xdqOG5qPq

Europa League anthem>>>

The #UELdraw is just around the corner 🚨

https://t.co/bIyGGvvo8a

Barcelona and Manchester United moved from playing each other in Champions League finals to meeting in the playoffs of the Europa League.

#UELDraw

We getting Barca in the play off round, it was meant to be 😂

#UELdraw https://t.co/6PeGdSQPIk

UEFA didn't disappoint with that Barcelona v Manchester United fixture. This match will get more hype than the World Cup Final. #UELdraw

The draw has just delivered the biggest tie in the history of the #EuropaLeague - Manchester United v Barcelona - and it's a play-off to get into the Round of 16 😂 #EuropaLeague #UEL

I have taken a break from supporting Manchester united. twitter.com/EuropaLeague/s…

Check up on your Manchester United friends, they're going through a lot right now...

Finally, Frenkie de Jong will entertain Manchester United fans at Old Trafford. #UEFAEuropaLeague #ManUtd #Barcelona

@Cristiano life is offering you a new chance to wake up ! This is time !

Reload this Cristiano Ronaldo https://t.co/noWI7hW4O2

Intriguing subplots emerge as Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United draw Barcelona

Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Catalonia is just one of the most interesting stories to come out of Manchester United facing Barcelona in the playoffs.

The Red Devils chased Barca midfielder Frenkie De Jong throughout the summer to no avail.

The Dutchman was keen to play Champions League football and wanted to remain at the Nou Camp.

This is despite United reportedly agreeing to an €85 million fee for the midfielder.

However, De Jong now faces the side that desperately wanted him in the Europa League.

He will also come up against his former manager Erik ten Hag, who coached him at Ajax to an Eredivisie title.

Gerard Pique has retired just before potentially facing his former side.

The legendary defender left Old Trafford in 2008 and returned to Barca for €5 million.

He then won the Champions League the season after with a 2-0 win over United in the final.