Manchester United face midfield blow ahead of Barcelona clash in Europa League

Manchester United face a midfield blow as Marcel Sabitzer will not be available for the first-leg clash against Barcelona in the Europa League round-of-32.

United will travel to Spain for the encounter on Thursday but will be without their new loan signing due to suspension from his time at Bayern Munich before his January move.

Sabitzer picked up three yellow cards in the group stage of the Champions League this term with the German club, which leads to a one-match suspension in the competition and that will carry over to the Europa League.

Sabizter has impressed since his deadline-day move last month. He played an important part in United’s win against Leeds United at Elland Road on the weekend.

He will join Lisandro Martinez, who also misses the first game against Barcelona due to yellow card suspension from the group stages.

Erik ten Hag’s side will be boosted by the return of Casemiro, who was unavailable for the double-header in the Premier League against Leeds after he received a red card in the 2-1 win against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.

He will play alongside Fred in the centre of the park, with United’s midfield looking bare with multiple injuries to important players at the moment.

Christian Eriksen will be out of action for another two and a half months with an ankle injury, while Scott McTominay is also unavailable with a knock. Donny van de Beek’s season was ended after a grimacing knee injury sustained at the start of the year.

Sabitzer and Martinez will be available for selection in the second leg against Barcelona at the Theatre of Dreams next Thursday.

That game will be played three days before The Reds face Newcastle United in the final of the Carabao Cup.