Two re-emerging giants of European football played out a classic at Camp Nou last week, and Manchester and Barcelona will now meet at Old Trafford on Thursday night with a place in the Europa League last 16 on the line.
United impressed in Spain in the first leg of the playoff tie against La Liga’s leaders, but they were eventually pegged back by Raphinha and forced to hold on to a 2-2 draw.
The result leaves the second leg tantalisingly poised given UEFA’s removal of away goals in 2021. Both sides will fancy their chances of progressing here and Erik ten Hag is set to welcome back a couple of key players who were absent last Thursday.
No United players are suspended for Barcelona’s visit but Ten Hag will welcome back Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer to his matchday squad after the pair missed the first leg due to an accumulation of yellow cards in Europe this season.
Man Utd injury news vs Barcelona
Scott McTominay returned off the bench against Leicester but the Scotland international is unlikely to start on Thursday, with Casemiro set to continued in the middle of the park alongside Fred.
Harry Maguire, Antony and Antony Martial all missed Sunday’s victory and are doubtful for this one, while Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek are long-term absentees.
