Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could make three key changes when the Red Devils take on Barcelona in the first leg of the Europa League knock-out play-off.
The Red Devils travel to the Camp Nou for the opening leg on Thursday evening and we expect Ten Hag to make multiple changes with some key players returning to the fray.
Raphael Varane was handed a breather in the 2-0 Premier League win over Leeds United yesterday. The Frenchman should return to the XI in midweek in place of Harry Maguire.
Maguire was unconvincing with his defensive display against the Whites. He is likely to be axed from the line-up. Varane should partner Luke Shaw in central defence with Lisandro Martinez suspended.
Fred had a superb midfield performance against Leeds, winning a stunning 10 tackles. Despite this, he may drop to the bench with Casemiro likely to be reinstated in the number six role.
Casemiro has been serving his league suspension over the last two games, but should return to the line-up on Thursday, given his rich experience of facing Barcelona from his Real Madrid days.
Casemiro and Fred have played together on several occasions this term, but we are fancying Marcel Sabitzer to get the nod alongside the former due to his better creativity in the final third.
In attack, Wout Weghorst could be dropped on the back of another below-par performance.
Weghorst was largely ineffective from the centre-forward role on Sunday and only came into the game after playing in the second striker position behind Marcus Rashford towards the end.
The Dutchman bagged himself an assist for Alejandro Garnacho’s splendid goal, but he could make way to the bench. In our view, Garnacho could start on the left side of the attack.
Rashford has scored a headed goal in each of the last two games after moving into a central position. The England star should be backed to lead the attack against the Catalan giants.
Manchester United and Leeds condemn ‘tragedy chanting’ at Premier League game
The Premier League said it is treating the issue of ‘tragedy chanting’ as ‘a matter of urgency’ after joining Leeds and Manchester United in condemning the sick chants heard during Sunday’s match
Manchester United and Leeds United have both condemned offensive chanting at Elland Road during their Premier League match on Sunday.
Both sets of supporters could be heard provoking each other throughout Manchester United’s 2-0 victory, making reference to historic tragedies.
Manchester United supporters could be heard referencing two Leeds supporters killed in Turkey in 2000 ahead of the Whites’ Uefa Cup semi-final tie against Galatasaray.
While the home fans mentioned the Munich air disaster from 1958, which resulted in 23 fatalities after an aircraft carrying the Manchester United football team crashed.
A joint-club statement read: “Both clubs strongly condemn chanting from both sets of fans regarding historic tragedies at today’s game.
“Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and we will continue to work together with our respective fan groups and the Premier League and other authorities on eradicating it from football.”
The Premier League said it is treating the issue of “tragedy chanting” as “a matter of urgency” after joining Leeds and Manchester United in condemning the sick chants heard during Sunday’s match.
The Premier League has a working group on the issue of tragedy chanting, working alongside clubs, the Football Association, English Football League and Football Supporters’ Association to tackle the issue.
The PA news agency understands Manchester United are represented on the panel and are pushing for more to be done and have worked with other clubs, in particular Liverpool, to deliver campaigns to educate supporters.
Last Monday marked the 65th anniversary of the Munich air disaster, when 23 people – including eight players and three members of staff – died travelling back from a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade.
Violence on the eve of Leeds’ Uefa Cup semi-final first leg against Galatasaray led to the death of Leeds fans Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight in Istanbul on April 5, 2000.
Source: manutdnews.com; independent.co.uk
