Jordi Cruyff has sounded a note of warning to his Manchester United team-mates as they seek revenge over Barcelona for their blackest night in the Champions' League.
Barcelona humiliated United 4-0 on their last visit to the Nou Camp four years ago and Alex Ferguson's men are keen to avenge that embarrassing defeat.
Barcelona's European campaign has all but fizzled out and the misfiring Spanish champions are down to just 14 first team players for tomorrow's Group D clash because of injury, suspension and ineligibility.
Cruyff, who is in the United party despite not being able to play because of a pulled hamstring, was in that 1994 Barcelona side and he sees ominous parallels between now and then.
"Big teams like Barcelona always rise to the occasion," he said. "I can recall before the 1994 game that we were not having a good season and we were struggling, just like the current team now. But for that game everything went right. That's the danger with these type of players.
"That result opened it up for the rest of the season for us and they will be thinking another win tomorrow night might have the same effect for them.
"I think they can raise their game for us and it's up to us to expect that."
Despite boasting the likes of Rivaldo and Giovanni, United manager Alex Ferguson feels Barcelona are not as potent now that a certain other Brazilian has gone.
"Without Romario they are not a team which can get goals from nothing," he said, "and I'm very, very grateful that Romario is not here."
United have not beaten Barcelona in any of their three previous Champions' League meetings and Ferguson refuses to believe their task will be easier because of the number of players they have missing.
"It looks like they will be without Abelardo, Luis Enrique and Cocu, who are three formidable players," he said.
"But coaches always find a way of producing a positive response from players.
"You never rely on one or two players and instead you depend upon a squad of players rather than individuals.
"I don't see us as favourites. How can you be favourites in the Nou Camp?"
Ferguson has vowed to go for Barcelona's jugular and his side have the safety net of knowing they can still qualify even if they lose as long as they beat Bayern Munich at Old Trafford.
That comfort factor, though, does not lessen Ferguson's desire to win - the memory of 1994 will not allow that.
"If we don't win, we can still win the group by beating Bayern Munich, but it's only common sense to try and win this game," he said.
Nicky Butt may replace Jesper Blomqvist in the only change from the side which lost at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
Ronny Johnsen, who has an ankle injury, and knee ligament victim Teddy Sheringham, did not travel to Spain and instead were due to play in a reserve match.
Ryan Giggs, who broke a bone in his foot, resumes full training tomorrow and Ferguson hopes all three will be ready by next week.
Manchester United (probable): Schmeichel, P Neville, Irwin, G Neville, Stam, Keane, Scholes, Butt/Blomqvist, Beckham, Cole, Yorke.
How Qualification Is Decided
1. Where two or more teams are level on points, the criteria for determining the standings begin with the greater number of points obtained in the matches between the teams in question.
2. If points are level between the teams in question, goal difference resulting from the matches between the teams in question determines the position.
3. If the above two are level, the greater number of goals scored away from home between the teams in question determines their position.
4. Overall goal difference only comes into play if teams are level on all three of the above criteria.
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