Samuel Eto'o claims the fact Manchester United are favourites to progress from their Champions League semi-final gives him added motivation. The Barcelona and Cameroon forward, who yesterday warned the Catalan club he will seek pastures new if they fail to make an improved challenge for silverware next season, acknowledges his team will be the underdogs against Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

Eto'o is not letting that undermine his confidence ahead of Wednesday's first leg at the Nou Camp and then next Tuesday's return encounter, which will be his first match at Old Trafford. "[I have] the same respect for Manchester United that I hope they have for us," he said. "Sure, United are favourites, but that just motivates me even more and we'll see what happens."

The 27-year-old believes Barcelona, for whom Lionel Messi could play some part after recently returning from injury, "can create problems for United" if they play to their usual standard.

Carlos Tevez, the Manchester United striker, is hoping Messi features in the tie so the Premier League side will be tackling a full-strength Barcelona team. "Let him play," Tevez said. "If we beat them with Messi, there'll be no excuse."

However, Tevez recognises the threat posed by his Argentina team-mate: "He's from another planet. He's got amazing acceleration. He's a marvellous player."

While United sit three points clear of Chelsea with three games remaining in the Premier League, Barcelona's domestic campaign is looking far less rosy with Frank Rijkaard's third-placed team trailing arch rivals Real Madrid by 11 points with five matches left.

Tevez hopes the pressure will take its toll on the 2006 European champions. "They're coming to the game with a lot of pressure on them," he said. "If we get to play in our style, we can make it very difficult for Barca. There are 180 minutes to play and we have to be smart. We have to come out focused and play well in all areas."

United have not lost in their last nine league games and Tevez knows his side must continue to show the same character against Barcelona, who have not managed a victory in any of their last four La Liga matches. "If we continue playing in the same way, with the same passion, we've got a chance," he said. "Obviously it's all down to us."