Manchester United v Barcelona: Match Preview, Team News & Predictions
In what’s arguably the most highly anticipated clash in Europe this week, Manchester United welcome Barcelona to Old Trafford on February 23rd, for the second leg of the Europa League playoff.
Both European powerhouses have proven why they belong at the top with immaculate campaigns so far in their respective domestic leagues. While the Red Devils are in contention for four trophies this season, Barcelona are sitting comfortably at the top of La Liga with 59 points, eight clear of second-placed Real Madrid.
But the excitement has more to do with how the first leg transpired. Fast-paced, end-to-end football with equal shares of chaos and cognizant patterns of attacking meant that there was eventually nothing to separate the pair, making this fixture all-the-more thrilling.
Former Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso opened the scoring for Barcelona, but Erik Ten Hag’s men responded with two quick-fire goals over the next nine minutes, courtesy of regular headline-maker Marcus Rashford and a Jules Kounde own-goal. Raphinha leveled the scoring in the 76th minute to conclude proceedings.
With two of Barcelona’s fluid midfielders out for this match, Manchester United, who have only lost two of their last 11 European games at Old Trafford, will fancy their chances in front of a boisterous home crowd.
Xavi’s troops have conceded just seven goals in the Spanish top-flight this season. They’ll hope to contain the hosts and silence the crowd by keeping the ball for longer. Of course, they also have one of the best in the business leading their front line – Robert Lewandowski. The Polish international is spearheading La Liga’s scoring charts with 15 goals to his credit.
Team News
Manchester United
Ten Hag will be without one of Manchester United’s best creators this season in Christian Eriksen owing to an ankle injury. He’s surely set to be a big miss not just due to the form he’s shown but the experience as well.
Besides Eriksen, Donny van de Beek, Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay and Antony have also been ruled out as well.
Barcelona
Barcelona have a string of injuries concerning their best XI. While Sergio Busquets is in line to start following a late test, Pedri’s injury in the first leg is a big blow. Gavi, meanwhile, is suspended after an accumulation of yellow card violations.
Ousmane Dembele’s time on the sidelines is set to prevent him from featuring as well. The onus then shifts to Frenkie de Jong to patrol the Barcelona midfield.
Predicted XI
Manchester United probable line-up (4-2-3-1):
De Gea; Dalot. Martinez, Varane, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst
Barcelona
Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Roberto, De Jong, Kessie; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Ferran Torres
Match Prediction
Manchester United and Barcelona have already shown they are unlikely to shy away from taking the attack to the opposition. The latter would probably be the more cautious side away from home, especially in the bid to not have De Jong isolated in midfield.
We expect United’s accomplished players to rise to the occasion, and Marcus Rashford to continue his scoring streak.
Final score: Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona
-Akarshak Roy
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Abdelkrim Abdali. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.