Playmaker Xavi, who turned 31 in January, is the creative engine at the heart of the Spain and Barca teams and preventing him from exerting his customary control will be key to United's chances of success on Saturday.
Together with Iniesta, he was on a shortlist of three for this year's World Player of the Year award that went to club team mate Lionel Messi for a second consecutive year.
One of the reasons for the recent success of Spain and Barca is the close relationship between the players who learned their trade in the Catalan club's famed "La Masia" youth school, which also produced current coach Pep Guardiola, Xavi said this week.
"Playing with people who come from within the club gives you something extra," Xavi said in an interview with Spanish daily El Pais.
"We have a very good relationship on and off the pitch. We invite each other round to our houses, we do things together away from football," he added.
"I have never experienced that before and I have been here for 13 years. The players from the youth system provide commitment and continuity."
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