This week’s Europa league matches are back, with FC Barcelona visiting in-form Manchester United at Old Trafford.
A fascinating game that people around the world are looking forward to. In a fun exhibition, the two teams met last week and split the points at Camp Nou.
The score was 2-2 after the game was over. The second leg winner advances to the competition’s round sixteen.
However, the Red Devils are poised to edge past their opponents at home to continue their fine form both in the league and across Europe.
Erik ten Hag’s men have shown in recent times that they are capable of doing anything on the pitch and can turn things around anytime until the end of the game.
Barcelona has previously met Manchester United five times in away games in European competition. They lost all four of their initial matches (D2 L2) until winning 1-0 on their most recent trip in April 2019. (UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg).
In their last 11 European games at Old Trafford, Manchester United has only lost twice (W6 D3), however both of those losses came to Spanish teams: 0-1 losses to Atletico Madrid in March 2022 and 0-1 losses to Real Sociedad in September 2022.
WHEN AND WHERE:
The match kicks-off at exactly 8:00pm GMT at the Old Trafford
TEAM NEWS:
Only three first-team players won’t be available to the Manchester United manager against Barcelona on Thursday.
Both Harry Maguire (knee) and Antony (knee) have returned to action following their individual injuries. Moreover, Casemiro has completed the domestic suspension that did not transfer to the Europa League. The only other players out injured are Anthony Martial (hip), Donny van de Beek (knee), and Christian Eriksen (ankle).
Returning Casemiro could be crucial to Manchester United’s success. He missed the first leg due to a suspension, but his participation in this game with Lisandro Martinez who also served a suspension could assist their side defeat their opponents.
Weghorst’s contribution to the game may go unnoticed, but it might be useful in dislodging Barcelona’s center backs and opening up space for Rashford to take advantage of. When the ball is in the air, he is a threat to any opposition.
A tough fixture forXavi’s men especially being without some key players in the team. Players like Gavi, Pedri, Dembele are all out of this fixture.
The young sensation Gavi is the most recent absentee; he will miss thursday’s game owing to a ban. Pedri and Ousmane Dembele are also now healing from their respective hamstring ailments and will be sidelined for some time.
But with Busquets now returning from injury, he will definitely start. The flexibility to express himself in more sophisticated ways will allow Frenkie de Jong to do so. Also, in the park’s center, Franck Kessie should finish the numbers.
Last weekend’s victory over Cadiz was crucially dependent on Ferran Torres. He ought to have accomplished enough to secure a rare start on the left wing. Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and the Spaniard will all be present in the final third. Another option on the bench is Ansu Fati.
It’s been revealed per multiple sources that Xavi might opt to play both Jordi Alba and Alex Balde, should that happen, Ferran Torres would pave way for Alba to occupy the left wing role.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford, Weghorst
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde, de Jong, Busquets, Kessie; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Torres
Prediction:
Manchester United 1-2 Barcelona
source: SoccaNews.com