Wayne Rooney has challenged Manchester United to prove they are as good as Barcelona when they face the European champions in San Jose on Saturday.
While Barcelona did the Treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League last season, United endured a second successive campaign without silverware.
But captain Rooney, who is excited by United's four new signings, believes their International Champions Cup match will illustrate how United compare to Luis Enrique's team.
He said in a news conference: "Over the last few years they have been probably the best team in Europe and it is down to us to prove we are as good as them. It is good that tomorrow [Saturday] we will be playing against them and it will show us where we are at."
Rooney has faced Barcelona in two Champions League finals, scoring in the 2011 encounter, but United lost both matches.
And he is set to be United's main striker this season after manager Louis van Gaal let Robin van Persie leave and opted not to buy Radamel Falcao.
Rooney, who was United's top scorer last season despite spending some of the campaign in midfield, said he will relish the responsibility.
"I am ready to take that mantle on and be the one who gets the goals for us," he added. "It is a position where I think I can score goals."
United have spent almost £80 million in recruiting Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis Depay and Matteo Darmian.
Rooney will help them understand the realities of life at Old Trafford and urged them to make their mark at United.
"It is obviously important to help the new players settle in but the ones we have brought in are experienced and successful," he said. "I am sure they will add a lot to the team.
"I can try and help them learn about the history of the club and what is expected at this club and how to be successful but it is down to the players themselves to prove themselves and create their own history."
Schweinsteiger, who will miss the Barcelona game with a minor injury, is a World Cup winner and Rooney feels United's younger players can only benefit from playing with the experienced German.
"He is obviously a fantastic player," Rooney said. "Everyone knows that and since he has joined up with the squad he has been a fantastic person, talking with the young players which is a great help to them, having someone of that experience and who is that successful. He is a great addition to the team and I feel he will be a very good signing for us."