Erik Ten Hag Confirms Man United Trio Expected To Miss Barcelona Clash Due To Injury

Richmond MarfoFebruary 10, 2023

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Barcelona have been struggling with injury issues throughout the season. The likes of Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, and Jules Kounde missed key games in the Champions League group stages, for example, which ended up in Barça being relegated to the Europa League.

Even now, Ousmane Dembele has be picked up a muscle injury and will miss nearly a month worth’s of football, while Sergio Busquets is also ruled out due to injury.

The next few weeks present Barcelona with the toughest set of fixtures for the season, including a two-legged tie against Manchester United in the Europa League knockout stage.

Fortunately, the record-English winners are in fitness distress, as well.

Christian Eriksen will be missing both legs against Barcelona due to a long-term injury, while Lisandro Martinez is suspended for the first leg at the Camp Nou.

Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag confirmed the possible absence of three more players in a press conference today. Antony, Anthony Martial, and Scott McTominay are all doubts for the game, he said.

“I don’t expect [them to be fit]. We have some days obviously, but I don’t expect it,” ten Hag said.

Antony was ruled out in the buildup to United’s game against Leeds United at Old Trafford, while Martial missed games against both, Crystal Palace and Leeds in the last week.

Both of them are starters for the Red Devils, unlike Scott McTominay, who is a presence off the bench, more often than not. The Scottish midfielder has played just 15 games in the Premier League this season, and was absent from the last two games due to injury.

This is the first time Barcelona and Manchester United are locking horns since April 2019. That clash, the Champions League quarter-finals, ended in a 4-0 win for the Blaugranes.

While they rarely see each other, this fixture holds a ton of historical and cultural importance. Not only the two sides boast of two of the biggest fanbases of the world, but their previous meetings in the UCL has only fueled the rivalry.