On paper at least, it seems that Xavi and his FC Barcelona side are in trouble heading into the road leg of their Europa League round of 16 playoff against Manchester United. Not only did they leave the home leg all square, when it would have been much better to head into the road leg with an advantage, but they are injury-riddled too.
Xavi will be without at least a couple of his biggest guns for this battle, and it will be interesting to see what kind of team he fields here.
Man United vs FC Barcelona UEL FYIs
Kickoff: Thu Feb 23, 8pm GMT, Old Trafford
Competition: Europa League, Round of 16, Leg 2/2, Aggregate Score 2-2
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Man United vs FC Barcelona Tale of the Tape: go here
Latest News on the United Ownership Derby: go here
Team News: Man United FC Barcelona
Starting XI Predictions: Man United FC Barcelona
How strong can he go given the fitness situation? Well, despite the doubts surrounding Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski, we think both will play through the pain and be in the first team for this match. And having that pair ni the first XI makes for a very strong team indeed.
FC Barcelona Starting XI Prediction at Man United (Europa League)
Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Alonso, Alba; De Jong, Busquets, Kessie; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Fati
Prediction: United 2, FC Barcelona 1
We predict the hero here will be Jadon Sancho, as he’ll net the game winner! What a great story that will make for him, MUFC and their fanbase, given all that he’s been through lately.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.