Messi is just one goal away from equalling the ­competition’s highest scoring record in a ­season, set by Ruud Van Nistelrooy when he was at United.

The Dutchman scored 12 goals for the Premier League champions during the 2002/03 Champions League campaign.

Messi told the Sunday Mirror: “Goals are only ­important if they win you games. If I don’t score and ­Barcelona win the Champions League it’s unimportant ­whether I find the net or not.

“My interest is in the ­collective success of the team, not ­individual glory.

“I’ve not given any great deal of thought about not scoring in England. And I’m not driven by the ­desire to score more goals in a ­Champions League campaign than any other player.

“If it’s meant to happen, it will happen.”