Manchester United travel to face Barcelona in a marquee Europa League play-off encounter tonight.
Erik ten Hag’s side finished second on goal difference to Real Sociedad in Group E while Barca fell out of the Champions League after a disappointing campaign saw them finish third in Group C.
FOLLOW LIVE: Team news and all the action as Man United head to Barcelona in the Europa League
The winner will progress to the last-16 where the Europa League group stage winners re-enter the competition.
United have are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions, while Xavi’s side have won six La Liga games in a row.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Barcelona v Manchester United?
The Europa League play-off first leg will kick off at 5.45pm GMT on Thursday Thursday 16 February.
How can I watch it?
Barcelona v Manchester United will be shown live on BT Sports 2 with coverage starting from 5pm.
What is the team news?
Xavi’s side remain without Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets. The French winger sustained a thigh injury against Girono while Barca’s evergreen central midfielder injured his ankle against Sevilla.
Manchester United will have to deal with a lengthening list of absentees after Erik ten Hag revealed that Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay and Antony will not be available for Thursday’s match. They join Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek who face lengthy spells on the sidelines.
The English club will also be without the suspended Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer after the pair received three yellow cards in the group stages, the latter doing so in the Champions League for Bayern Munich before his January loan move.
Predicted line-ups
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Kessie, de Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Gavi
Manchester United: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Shaw, Malacia; Casemiro, Fred; Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho; Weghorst.
Odds
Barcelona: 8/11
Draw: 14/5
Manchester United: 7/2
Prediction
It will be a huge task for Man United on Thursday away at Camp Nou. Barcelona are in imperious form and with a wealth of young talent to support the talismanic Robert Lewandowski in attack. United, meanwhile, will miss Martinez’s intelligence at the back and Eriksen’s calming presence in the middle of the park and may be left relying on a moment of magic from the in-form Marcus Rashford. Barcelona 2-1 Manchester United
Source link: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/barcelona-manchester-united-live-stream-watch-online-b2282068.html
