MX23RW : Tuesday, March 11 03:28:42| >> :120:6452:6452:
[monks data]
Manchester United logo
Europa League | Knockout Round Playoffs | 2nd Leg
Feb 23, 2023 at 8pm UK
Old Trafford
Barcelona logo

Man Utd
2 - 1
Barcelona

Fred (47'), Antony (73')
Fernandes (60'), Garnacho (78'), Casemiro (86')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Lewandowski (18' pen.)
Roberto (60'), Lewandowski (71'), Busquets (83')

Barcelona missing three key players for Manchester United clash

Barcelona missing three key players for Man United clash
© Reuters
Barcelona confirm their squad for Thursday's Europa League knockout round playoff second leg against Manchester United, with Ousmane Dembele, Pedri and Gavi absent.

Barcelona boss Xavi has named his 20-man squad for Thursday's Europa League contest against Manchester United, with Ousmane Dembele, Pedri and Gavi notable absentees.

Dembele remains on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, and it is unlikely that the France international will be available for selection until the middle of next month.

Pedri, meanwhile, picked up a hamstring issue in the first leg of the knockout round playoff with Man United last week, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou.

Gavi is also missing for the Catalan giants through suspension, but Sergio Busquets was back in the squad against Cadiz on Sunday after recovering from an ankle injury.

Real Sociedad's Igor Zubeldia in action with Barcelona's Gavi on January 25, 2023© Reuters

Busquets is now in line to make his return at Old Trafford, while the absences of Pedri and Gavi have opened the door for Marc Casado to make the trip to Manchester.

Barcelona's squad is also boosted by the return of Ronald Araujo, who was not involved against Cadiz on Sunday evening due to a La Liga suspension.

Xavi has big decisions to make when it comes to his starting side for this match, with Marcos Alonso featuring as a central defender in the first leg last week.

Franck Kessie is again expected to join Frenkie de Jong in central midfield, with Busquets also potentially coming into the side depending on his fitness.

Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets on October 16, 2022© Reuters

Sergi Roberto is an option alongside Kessie and De Jong should Busquets start on the bench, while Ansu Fati could come in for a start alongside Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha in the final third of the field.

Against Cadiz on Sunday, which ended in a 2-0 victory for the La Liga leaders, Eric Garcia and Alejandro Balde were handed starts at the back, while Ferran Torres featured in the final third of the field.

However, Kessie, Jordi Alba and Alonso could return to the side at Old Trafford.

Lewandowski is comfortably Barcelona's leading goalscorer this season with 24 in all competitions, while Dembele is second on eight, with Raphinha and Pedri joint-third with seven each.

Barcelona squad vs. Man United:

Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas; Araujo, Christensen, Alonso, Alba, Kounde, E Garcia, Balde; Busquets, Kessie, Roberto, F de Jong, Torre, Casado; Lewandowski, Fati, F Torres, Raphinha

ID:507286:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5473:
Written by
Matt Law
No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Raphinha

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Game History

How you voted: Man Utd vs Barcelona

Manchester United
66.5%
Draw
7.0%
Barcelona
26.4%
825
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring for Barcelona on October 12, 2022
Read Next:
Xavi concerned by fitness of Lewandowski, De Jong
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
QLazio861119
2Athletic Bilbao861119
3Man Utd853018
4Spurs852117
5Frankfurt851216
6Lyon843115
7Olympiacos843115
8Rangers842214
9Bodo/Glimt842214
10Anderlecht842214
11FCSB842214
12Ajax841313
13Real Sociedad841313
14Galatasaray834113
15Roma833212
16Plzen833212
17Ferencvaros840412
18Porto832311
19Midtjylland832311
20AZ832311
21Union SG832311
22FC Twente824210
23Fenerbahce824210
24Braga831410
25Elfsborg831410
26PAOK831410
27Hoffenheim82339
28Besiktas83059
29M. Tel Aviv82066
30Slavia Prague81255
31Malmo81255
32RFS81255
33Ludogorets80444
34Dynamo Kiev81164
35Nice80353
36Qarabag81073


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!