5 things noticed as Man Utd prepare to face Barcelona without 7 stars

Erik ten Hag is set to be without seven Manchester United players for their hotly-anticipated clash with Barcelona on Thursday.

The Red Devils will visit the Camp Nou for the first time in four years for a blockbuster Europa League play-off tie, having finished second in their group and forced into an extended knockout campaign. Barcelona were humiliatingly dumped out of the Champions League at the first hurdle and the draw pitted two of European football’s biggest clubs against each other for a place in the last 16.

While high-flying Barca boss Xavi Hernandez will be without two key players in Sergio Busquets and Ousmane Dembele, Ten Hag’s squad is much more depleted. Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer are both suspended for the first leg, with the latter’s ban carrying over from his time with parent club Bayern Munich and leaving his manager with limited options.

Here are five things we noticed in training before United jet off to Cataluyna.

Centre-back battle

With Martinez ruled out after picking up three yellow cards in the six group-stage games, Ten Hag’s major selection issue is to find an appropriate partner for Raphael Varane. While Luke Shaw deputised for a period in January and duly impressed, Harry Maguire was handed a start alongside his England international team-mate in Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Leeds.

Meanwhile, Victor Lindelof is available should Ten Hag prefer to go with a more agile option. Barcelona’s attack, led by Robert Lewandowski, has been in scintillating form this season and whoever gets the nod next to Varane has an almighty task ahead of him.

Casemiro’s timely return

As for Sabitzer’s absence, the Red Devils have less of a concern. Although the 28-year-old Austrian joins fellow midfielders Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek on the sidelines, Ten Hag can welcome back Casemiro to play alongside Fred.

Having received a straight red card for violent conduct during United’s recent 2-1 win against Crystal Palace, Casemiro has been banned for the last two Premier League fixtures – both against Leeds – and will also be suspended for Leicester City’s visit to Old Trafford on Sunday.

Fortunately for Ten Hag, his midfield general can temporarily return to action at the Camp Nou and the 30-year-old Brazilian is hoping to use his wealth of experience from playing against Barcelona as a Real Madrid player to help rattle the Blaugrana.

Sabitzer being ruled out meaning that the Red Devils have a total of seven first-team players who’re confirmed to miss the match or are unlikely to feature. Added to the injured midfield trio and United’s suspended pair, striker Antony Martial and winger Antony have missed the last three and two games respectively through injury.

Ten Hag’s conundrum

While there’s no disputing that Varane and Martinez are the Red Devils’ best two centre-backs, the question of who’s the better right-back still divides United supporters – and seemingly Ten Hag. After suffering injury at the World Cup, Diogo Dalot lost his place to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and the uncapped Englishman took full advantage following a difficult first half of the season.

Now with the duo both fit, Ten Hag has a conundrum over who to select, especially as they’re likely up against reigning Golden Boy winner Gavi. Wan-Bissaka provides more defensive solidity which could be crucial to staying in the game, but Dalot – linked with a summer transfer to Barcelona – offers plenty more going forward and would aid the Red Devils’ search for an important away goal.

Rashford out to make amends

Like a number of his team-mates, Marcus Rashford was involved in United’s last trip to the Camp Nou in April 2019. With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the wheel, the Red Devils were thrashed 3-0 after a narrow first-leg defeat thanks to Shaw’s unfortunate own goal.

But it could’ve been very different had Rashford found the back of the net less than 60 seconds into the game. Played in by Paul Pogba down his favourite left-hand channel, the now 25-year-old striker went for goal with an outside-of-the-boot shot and agonisingly hit the top of the crossbar before McTominay also missed a chance to put Solskjaer’s side ahead.

Fortunately, Lionel Messi won’t be around to score two goals this time.

Youngsters given a taste

Big occasions call for experienced players, but it’s also vital for younger members of the squad to get a taste of preparations ahead of such a mammoth match. Ten Hag’s faith in youth has shone through this season, most notably though academy sensation Alejandro Garnacho.

And now there’s a fresh batch of youngsters coming to the fore, as Noam Emeran and Charlie Wellens were spotted training with the first-team on Monday. French forward Emeran joined United in February 2019 amid reported interest from Barcelona, while midfielder Wellens is the son of Richie Wellens, who also came through the Red Devils’ academy and is now managing League Two leaders Leyton Orient.

While the duo could travel to Barcelona, it’s highly unlikely that they’ll feature in a game of such magnitude. “I think Barcelona and us as well would have preferred to play this match in the final,” Ten Hag told UEFA.com, adding even more anticipation to what promises to be an epic meeting.

“We are looking forward to it, it takes a lot of energy searching for that finish and it will be a great game. Hopefully, everyone is fit for Barcelona and for us. So, we see a game that will be played at the highest level. As a player, I admire Barcelona’s manager, Xavi. Barcelona, the way they played with him: he was such an important part of the team.

“You can see the philosophy he now brings to his Barcelona. I really like his team, the attacking way of play. I think he is heading in the right direction. I think it’s going to be a good challenge between Manchester United and Barcelona.”