Ernesto Valverde 'impressed' by Manchester United

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has paid tribute to Manchester United following the pair's meeting in the International Champions Cup at the FedEx Field on Wednesday night.

United brought their pre-season tour of America to a close with a clash against the Spanish giants in Landover, Maryland.

Neymar's first-half effort saw Barcelona record a 1-0 victory, but Valverde said that he was 'impressed' with United's performance, and claims that he 'would not want to face them in the Champions League' this season.

"Obviously United haven't been well lately, even though they won the Europa League," Valverde told reporters. "This year they are going to be in the Champions League. So their presence by itself is impressive. They impress me.

"I think they are going to be a really hard team to beat. For me, they are contenders to win and they are going to be hard to beat in the Premier League and the Champions League. I wouldn't want to face them in the Champions League."

Next up for Barcelona is a clash with bitter rivals Real Madrid on Saturday night.