Manchester United take on Barcelona in a prestige pre-season game in Gothenburg on Wednesday night.

There's no such thing as a friendly when these two giants of the European game go at it, though. Football history is littered with classic encounters between the two.

Here are the Daily Mirror's Manchester reporter David McDonnell's top five.

1) Manchester United 2 -1 Barcelona

European Cup-winners' Cup final, May 15 1991, Rotterdam
(
Image:
Mirrorpix)

United and Aston Villa were the first English clubs back in Europe following the five-year ban in the aftermath of the Heysel disaster and Sir Alex Ferguson's side made it count by lifting silverware. Ferguson's men had a relatively easy path to the final, overcoming Pesci Muncas, Wrexham, Montpellier and Legia Warsaw on their way to meeting Barca in Rotterdam.
(
Image:
Mirrorpix)

It was United's first final since their European Cup win of 1968 and Barca started as favourites. But a Steve Bruce header was helped over the line from Mark Hughes, who then scored with a fine solo effort, taking the ball around the keeper before drilling a thudnerous shot in from an acute angle. Ronald Koeman pulled a goal back for Bara but United held on to claim victory on a memorable night.
(
Image:
Mirrorpix)
(
Image:
Mirrorpix)
Video Loading

2) Barcelona 4-0 Manchester United

Champions League group stage, November 2 1994, Nou Camp
(
Image:
Getty)

Having drawn 2-2 at Old Trafford, United had high hopes at the Nou Camp but were taught a football lesson. Hampered by the rule restricting the number of foreigners teams could field, Ferguson sacrificed goalkeeper Peter Schemichel for Gary Walsh.
(
Image:
Getty)

Yet it is doubtful whether the imperious Schmeichel would have been able to stem the tide of Barca's fantasy football. Hristo Stoichkov scored early on and Romario doubled Barca's lead just before half-time. Stoichkov scored again after the break and Albert Ferrer sealed an emphatic win for the hosts and a humiliating defeat for Ferguson's men, who exited the competition following a 3-1 defeat in Gothenburg.
(
Image:
Getty)
Video Loading

3) Barcelona 3-3 Manchester United

Champions League group stage, November 25 1998, Nou Camp
(
Image:
Getty)

Following a thrilling 3-3 draw at Old Trafford, hopes were high for an equally memorable encounter in the Nou Camp, and neither side disappointed in a match of sparkling quality and unremitting drama. Sonny Anderson put Barca ahead inside a minute, but Dwight Yorke fired United level before combining with strike partner Andy Cole, who edged United in front.

A deflected free-kick from Rivaldo made it 2-2, but Yorke headed in a David Beckham cross to restore United's lead, only for a sublime overhead kick from Rivaldo's brilliant to level it at 3-3. Barca needed to win to qualify but were denied late on, Rivaldo hitting the bar and Peter Schmeichel standing firm in goal. United would return to the Nou Camp six months later for their dramatic 2-1 win over Bayern Munich in the final to clinch the Treble.
(
Image:
PA)

We couldn't find video of this game, so here's the Top 5 Manchester United goals against Barcelona to compensate.

Video Loading

4) Manchester United 1-0 Barcelona

Champions League semi-final second leg, April 29 2008, Old Trafford
(
Image:
Mirrorpix)

After Cristiano Ronaldo missed an early penalty in the first leg, United held out at the Nou Camp to take a 0-0 scoreline back to Old Trafford. The return leg was a tense affair, with the atmosphere the most electric during his time at United, according to Ferguson.
(
Image:
Getty)

And it was perhaps fitting that Paul Scholes, who missed the 1999 Champions League final win through suspension, scored the winner, a majestic long-range strike to give United victory and a place in the final in Moscow, where they would go on to beat Chelsea on penalties after drawing 1-1.
(
Image:
Getty)
Video Loading

5) Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United

Champions League final, May 28th 2011, Wembley
(
Image:
Getty)

United were desperate to avenge their 2-0 defeat to Barca in the 2009 final in Rome, but Guardiola's men simply swatted them aside with a breathtaking display. Wayne Rooney cancelled out Pedro Rodriguez's opener and United managed to limp to half-time with the score still 1-1.
(
Image:
Getty)

But after the break Barca oozed class, Messi and David Villa scoring the goals that condemned United to another defeat at their hands. Afterwards Ferguson saluted Barca's brilliance and hailed them as the greatest side he had faced in four decades of management.
(
Image:
Getty)
(
Image:
Getty)
Video Loading