Lionel Messi and Co train at Old Trafford as Barcelona prepare for Champions League showdown

Lionel Messi and his Barcelona team-mates appeared relaxed as they prepared for their Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Both sides are looking to secure an advantage ahead of the second leg at Nou Camp on April 16. 

Barca are hunting a first Champions League title since 2015, while three-time winners Manchester United have not lifted Europe’s biggest prize since 2008. 

The players appeared relaxed during a series of ball-based exercises on the Old Trafford turf

The Catalan giants sit 11 points clear in La Liga and are closing in on a second consecutive title after beating second-placed Atletico Madrid on Saturday. 

Having topped their group featuring PSV, Inter Milan and Tottenham, Barca then saw off Lyon 5-1 in the round of 16.

Their opponents on Wednesday were second in Group H behind Juventus, with Valencia and Young Boys eliminated.

After losing 2-0 at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 first leg, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer masterminded a memorable comeback to set up the quarter-final clash. 

The Catalan club are chasing a first Champions League crown since winning it in 2015

German stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is hunting a second Champions League title

Veteran defender Gerard Pique warned of the dangers of underestimating the Old Trafford side after their exploits in Paris. 

‘You cannot leave Manchester United alive,’ said Pique. ‘If you can beat them scoring a lot of goals you have to do it because they have a great team and a great history.

‘I think the PSG tie is a great example. They have shown in second leg in Paris even though they played with a lot of young lads from the academy they qualified in the last minute. It’s a great example for us.

‘We have to be very concentrated from the first minute to the last minute of the tie, and we have to play at our best to qualify.

Barcelona overcame Lyon 5-1 to book their place in the Champions League quarter-final

‘I expect a game where we have the ball and they will try and hit us on the counter-attack with fast strong players like (Marcus) Rashford and (Romelu) Lukaku. We have to be on our guard and look out for set-pieces from corners into the box.

‘They are an English side and they will try to take advantage of these opportunities. If we are focused we can try and stop them.

‘Manchester United since from I was here have always been the biggest team in England. All the big sides go through good times and bad times and there are periods of transition.

‘The period of Sir Alex Ferguson was the best one and they’ll continue to be a big side. We hope during this period maybe they’ve not found that special ingredient to bring it back but let’s see.’

Centre-back Samuel Umtiti has returned to fitness after an injury-hit campaign for his club

Homegrown stars Gerard Pique (centre) and Carles Alena (left) warm up at Old Trafford