The United boss admitted Barca, who needed a last-minute penalty to beat his team last year, looked like a group of players eager to impress new boss Pep Guardiola as they beat Hibernian 6-0.

Unlike last summer, the tourists have Lionel Messi available as Barcelona have refused to let him join up with the Argentina Olympic side, and he was on top form at Murrayfield.

But while he admitted holding out until the final seconds last summer had given his players confidence, Levein is more concerned with building play than defending.

"There is no doubt they are a joy to watch when they are in full flow," Levein said.

"It's a warning for us. We have to work extremely hard and we also need to keep possession of the ball when we get it or we will be chasing our tails for 90 minutes.

"I want to get something out of the game, not just fitness. I don't want to be sitting with our backs to the 18-yard box for 90 minutes, that's a waste of time.

"Last year we tried to pass the ball and I think we benefited more from that than the fitness aspect. We could do the work on the training ground.

"For me it's about having the bottle against top players, not just to do the defensive side of things, but to really feel comfortable about taking the ball in tight areas."

Levein will not pay special attention to Messi despite his virtuoso display against Hibs.

"If the team were only about that one player then it would be a serious consideration but there are so many players that have that little bit of magic dust that can win a game," the former Hearts and Leicester manager said.

"I don't have enough players to put two on them all."

Levein must have some apprehension about suffering a confidence-sapping defeat like the one sustained by Hibs - but he believes a tighter pitch and the familiar surroundings of Tannadice give his side an advantage over Mixu Paatelainen's men.

And he added: "This is a pre-season match and that's something we won't forget, whatever happens is not the be all and end all."

With the game coming almost exactly a year after Thierry Henry scored the only goal at Tannadice, the United manager took time to reflect on his side's progress.

Levein has added strikers Warren Feeney, Francisco Sandaza and Andis Shala, left-back Paul Dixon and midfielder Scott Robertson and he believes they will more than make up for the loss of Noel Hunt, who joined Cardiff this week.

Levein will also have forward Jon Daly and winger Craig Conway back from long injury lay-offs.

"My biggest expectation is to be better than last year and the signs are that we should be better," he said.

"We have more competition for places. Last season I sat here and had one recognised striker available to play - Noel Hunt.

"We added Jordan Robertson but he was a 19-year-old who hadn't played a first-team match.

"Players we had last season have a year's experience, players like Danny Swanson and Prince Buaben."

There may be more new arrivals with Levein still keen on signing Jim O'Brien from Celtic following his loan spell last term, while young Spanish striker Pablo Carrascosa remains on trial.

"Pablo is still here," Levein said. "I'm toying over whether to offer him a contract or not - I'm leaning towards possibly giving him one."