Manchester United is preparing to host a very heavy and unwelcome guest against Barcelona today, at the conclusion of the UEFA Europa League group stage for the current season 2022-2023, and in the following lines we will show you a comprehensive offer. Head to the match.
Match preview
The first leg lived up to the pre-match buzz, and also now Manchester United and also Barcelona restore hostilities at Old Trafford on Thursday evening to identify that will certainly progress from their Europa League ko round playoff tie.
The two continental giants - that contended in the Champions Organization final just 12 years ago - played out a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou last week, and also a likewise thrilling competition can be anticipated at the Theater of Dreams.
Even when Marcos Alonso headed home at the back message to open up the scoring in the initial leg, Guy United always had a route back right into the tie courtesy of the red-hot Marcus Rashford, whose near-post coating preceded the cross which Jules Kounde would become his very own web.
Nevertheless, the renewed Blaugrana guaranteed that every little thing would be entrusted to play for at Old Trafford when Raphinha's ball into package evaded every person before nestling right into the bottom corner, as well as interest would certainly have been stimulated when Erik ten Hag used the term "rubbish" to explain his side's first-half efficiency against Leicester City on Sunday.
Conceding opportunity after chance to the wasteful Foxes - that could not locate a method past a passionate David de Gea - Man United still managed to get to half time with a one-goal lead thanks to Rashford, that doubled his tally before a Jadon Sancho coating in an ultimate 3-0 Premier Organization victory - one which puts them just 3 points behind second-placed Manchester City.
Broach a feasible Premier Organization title cost is by no means unproven for the Red Devils, that could technically still end the period with a quadruple, as they also gear up for Sunday's EFL Mug final against Newcastle United and also an FA Cup fifth-round connection versus West Ham United.
With a journey to Anfield likewise to find on March 5, the next fortnight can certainly be called a season-defining period for Man United, whose unbeaten run in all events stands at 8 matches, and also they have struck at the very least two goals in each of their last 9.
Switching Old Trafford into a citadel once again, Ten Hag's charges have 14 wins and a draw to show from their last 15 house matches, but both Genuine Sociedad and also Atletico Madrid won at the Theater of Dreams in 2022, as well as Barcelona would succeed to take a fallen leave out of their Spanish equivalents' book.
Being demoted to the 2nd tier of European football for the 2nd year running was absolutely nothing except tragic for a cash-strapped Barcelona, that are potentially just 90 mins away from another early leave from continental competition - one which may not have such alarming effects this time around around, though.
As former midfield maestro Xavi currently works his magic in the dugout, Barcelona have built up an eight-point lead over Actual Madrid at the top of the La Liga table as well as conveniently returned to winning ways over Cadiz at the weekend - Sergi Roberto as well as Robert Lewandowski netting in a 2-0 victory.
Also flaunting their very own outstanding unbeaten touch of 18 suits - 16 of which have finished in victory - the Catalan powerhouses travel to Old Trafford having actually won each of their last 11 away video games in all competitors, although Bayern Munich and Inter Milan have both put Xavi's males to the sword at the Allianz Sector and San Siro this season.
Barcelona nevertheless have a fondness for preventing loss against Male United, who are now winless in five games against the Blaugrana considering that the 2007-08 Champions League semi-finals, but dreams of a highly sought-after piece of European flatware have to currently finish for one giant rising from the ashes.
Male United have actually had plenty of players on the mischievous step just recently, however the duo of Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer are back from continental restrictions served in the initial leg, while Casemiro will certainly additionally go back to the fold amidst his three-game residential suspension, which has now been completed.
Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek continue their lasting recoveries, while Anthony Martial is still sidelined with a hip trouble, but Ten Hag is certain that Harry Maguire and Antony will both be suitabled for the second leg.
Raphael Varane will anticipate to demote Victor Lindelof to the bench, while the Wout Weghorst number 10 experiment did not go as prepared in the first half versus Leicester, so the towering Dutchman might change to a main duty as 24-goal Rashford sustains him.
While Man United are hectic recuperating gamers from suspension, Barcelona have actually lost Gavi to a build-up of yellow cards, while his fellow Kopa Prize victor Pedri endured a hamstring injury in the first leg and also will certainly additionally miss out.
Ousmane Dembele's upper leg injury will certainly likewise keep him out of contention for Thursday's second leg, however in brighter news, Ronald Araujo is back from a residential ban, and also Sergio Busquets was an extra alternative versus Cadiz after recovering from an ankle injury.
The veteran Spaniard could as a result link with Frenkie de Jong and Franck Kessie in the midfield spear, while Gavi's absence opens the door for Ansu Fati to start on the left, even with Ferran Torres's effervescent display screen versus Cadiz.
Manchester United feasible starting schedule:
DeGea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Sabitzer; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst
Barcelona feasible beginning lineup:
Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Alonso, Alba; De Jong, Busquets, Kessie; Wing, Lewandowski, Fati
We claim: Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona (Guy United win 4-3 on accumulation).
Even with thoughts of an unavoidable EFL Mug final derail threatening to hinder their stream of consciousness, Man United's respected costs have actually killed lots of adversaries at Old Trafford this season, and also an absentee-hit Barcelona needs to become the current victims of the Red Devils' supremacy.
An even more clinical side than Leicester would have taken one of their plethora of first-half possibilities at the weekend, so while Xavi's side can still expect joy in the final third, Guy United's fondness for multiple-goal showings should see them through to the last 16 as Barcelona pack their bags early once again.
Event details:
NAME: Manchester United - Barcelona
DATE: 23 Feb 2023
TIME: 20:00 UTC
VENUE: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
What channels will broadcast the Manchester United and Barcelona match today?
beIN Sports MENA English 1 HD
beIN Sports MENA Premium 1 HD
BT Sport 2 HD
Cosmote Sport 2 HD
SuperSport Premier League HD