Predicted Manchester United XI to face Barcelona (Europa League)

Manchester United are travelling to Barcelona for a Thursday evening kick-off against the current La Liga leaders.

Manchester United travel to Barcelona in the Europa League, with this being the first time the two giants of European football have faced each other in the competition. There has been much blood shed between the two teams, facing each other in multiple Champions League finals and knock-out ties.

Erik ten Hag has a lot of considerations to make for the tie in relation to what XI he chooses for the occasion, with three players injured and two further suspended.

One bet which is pretty safe to make is David de Gea starting in net. Despite United travelling with three goalkeepers, neither of Tom Heaton or Jack Butland are close to usurping De Gea as Erik ten Hag’s No. 1 choice.

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At the back, one decision the Dutchman will need to make is between Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Dalot recently came back from injury and started against Leeds United on the weekend, but was substituted for Wan-Bissaka in the 73rd minute. With the pressure of the tie and considering Dalot’s injury recovery, Wan-Bissaka is more likely to start.

At the centre of defence, Lisandro Martinez is suspended for the tie after accumulating too many yellow cards in the group stage of the competition. That then begs the question: Who will start alongside Raphael Varane at Camp Nou?

United have brought two other traditional centre-backs to Spain in Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire, however Luke Shaw is the favourite to start in central defence. This would then mean Tyrell Malacia would slot into the left-back spot with Shaw occupying the left centre-back position, just like against Leeds United last Sunday.

In midfield, it feels almost a given that Casemiro will be welcomed back into the fold. Having served two of this three-game ban after he was awarded a red card for violent conduct against Crystal Palace, his ban does not apply to European fixtures, meaning he is available for selection.

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Casemiro has played Barcelona plenty of times across his career, having spent a decade operating in midfield for their fiercest rivals, Real Madrid, and will bring a much needed calmness to what will be an intense fixture. Alongside him, through process of elimination considering that Scott McTomiany is injured and Marcel Sabizter suspended, Fred will partner his Brazilian compatriot in midfield – almost certainly behind Bruno Fernandes, who will captain the tie should he start and Maguire be on the bench.

The front three is another debate that has multiple differing arguments – with Anthony Martial and Antony both unavailable through injury, how will Ten Hag deploy his attacking segment?

One thing is for certain: Marcus Rashford will start. Xavi has labeled the Englishman as one of the most “dangerous” forwards in Europe, with good reason – he’s scored 21 goals this campaign so far, and been involved in 17 goals in his last 15 games.

With Rashford playing left-wing, Wout Weghorst will likely be the man to join him in the middle, since Ten Hag will want a secure outlet for his central striking position. Also, if Weghorst did not feature, it would mean Rashford would likely have to occupy the No. 9 space, where he has not been as effective.

Rounding off the front three on the right-hand side will probably be Jadon Sancho, who has previous experience at Camp Nou. He scored there fore his previous club Borussia Dortmund, grabbing a consolation goal in a 3-1 loss during the 2019 Champions League group stage.

Alejandro Garnacho may be unlucky to miss out, however his impact from the bench this season has been fantastic, and he will no doubt get a chance to shine at Camp Nou in the country of his birth.

Full predicted XI

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia, Casemiro, Fred, Fernandes, Sancho, Weghorst, Rashford.