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Manchester United's Champions League showdown with Barcelona in Rome tonight is a mouthwatering prospect for anyone with a love of the beautiful game.

The clubs are two of the most glamorous, most popular and most successful in the world; few would argue their latest clash is anything but a dream final.

And when the pair meet, more often than not, the results are spectacular.

They have drawn each other nine times in European competition - United having won three to Barca's two, with four stalemates - but it is the number of goals this fixture regularly produces that really gets the juices flowing.

The net has bulged an incredible 29 times over the years (Barca 15, United 14) - an incredible average of more than three goals every game.

Both teams historically love to attack, and yet more goals can be expected at the Stadio Olimpico this time round, even if Barca do come into the fixture off the back of a relatively barren patch - they have scored just twice in their last three Champions League matches, all of which were drawn.

The continent is prepared for another classic encounter; here we remind you of two of the best of the previous clashes between the famous old clubs.

Cup Winners Cup quarter-final second leg: May 21, 1984 - Manchester United 3 Barcelona 0

Two-nil down from the first leg against a team that contained a certain Diego Maradona, and it looked bleak for United as Barca travelled to Manchester for the return fixture. Step forward United skipper Bryan Robson, then at the peak of his powers. 'Captain Marvel' almost single-handedly turned the tie on its head with a brace, the first a brave early header and the second a scrambled close-range effort soon to level after the break. Robson then started the move that led to United's winner, which was eventually lashed into the roof of the net by Frank Stapleton. Cue absolute bedlam inside Old Trafford - to this day, many United fans maintain the atmosphere that night will never be matched.

Cup Winners Cup final: May 15, 1991 - Manchester United 2 Barcelona 1

Mark Hughes took up where Robson had left off when the two clubs next met seven year later, this time in the Cup Winners' Cup final in Rotterdam. Hughes, who had suffered an unhappy stint at the Nou Camp, returned to haunt his former employers, netting twice to hand Alex Ferguson his first European honour with United. The burly striker had a point to prove to Barca, and he made it in clinical fashion, stabbing in from close range to put United ahead before firing home from an impossible angle after seemingly having taken the ball too far round keeper Carles Busquets. Ronald Koeman pulled one back for Barca to set up a frantic finale, during which Clayton Blackmore hacked off the line, but United held on to lift the trophy.

Champions League group phase: November 2, 1994 - Barcelona 4 Manchester United 0

While United fans may not recall this night with much fondness, the sheer attacking power of Barcelona made it a memorable night for neutrals. Despite having been outplayed during the first tie at Old Trafford, United had held their own and grabbed a 2-2 draw. In the return fixture, United were simply blown away. True, Ferguson's side were perhaps hampered by the three foreigner rule - as a result Gary Walsh was preferred to Peter Schmeichel in goal - but some poor defending, coupled with thrilling attacking play by Barca, saw the Catalans breeze past them. Hristo Stoichkov (pictured) netted a brace, while Romario and Albert Ferrer grabbed the other goals to seriously dent United's hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Champions League group phase: September 16, 1998 - Manchester United 3 Barcelona 3

The first of two six-goal thrillers that season, the two games highlighted both clubs' irrepressible desire to attack. In the first tie, United took the lead through Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes only for Sonny Anderson to pull one back soon after the restart and kick-off an exhilarating second period. Giovanni pulled Barca back on level terms from the penalty spot before David Beckham gave United the lead once again with a trademark free-kick. But Barcelona were not to be outdone and Luis Enrique's 70th minute strike - again from the penalty spot after Nicky Butt handled on the line and was sent off - restored parity and gave Barca a point from a breathless match. The return fixture also ended 3-3, although it was United who went on to lift the trophy later in the season, ironically in Barca's back yard, the Nou Camp.

The meetings in full:

Cup Winners' Cup quarter-final first leg: 7.03.84 - Barcelona 2 Manchester United 0

Cup Winners' Cup quarter-final second leg: 21.03.84 - Manchester United 3 Barcelona 0

Cup Winners' Cup final: 15.05.91 - Manchester United 2 Barcelona 1 (in Rotterdam)

Champions League group phase: 19.10.94 - Manchester United 2 Barcelona 2

Champions League group phase: 2.11.94 - Barcelona 4 Manchester United 0

Champions League group phase: 16.09.98 - Manchester United 3 Barcelona 3

Champions League group phase: 25.11.98 - Barcelona 3 Manchester United 3

Champions League semi-final: 23.04.08 - Barcelona 0 Manchester United 0

Champions League semi-final: 29.04.08 - Manchester United 1 Barcelona 0

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