CAN MAN U DELIVER THE SPECTACULAR AGAIN, AS THEY FACE ‘MESSI-FUL’ BARCA IN THE RACE FOR LAST-4?
Joseph Omoniyi
Manchester United may have to deliver something out of the extraordinary against Messi-led Barcelona when the two teams clash tonight, during the first-leg of the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final. The Red Devils booked their place among the last 8 in an incredible circumstance, after they beat French Giants, PSG 3-1away from home.
The English club who lost 2 finals to the Catalan Giants in 2009 and 2011, will come up against an irresistible and in-form La liga leaders.
Messi is currently in spectacular shape, scoring 48 goals out of 49 matches this season, including three free-kicks in three consecutive matches and his team, is also in a fantastic form, haven scored 81 goals in the Spanish League so far this season, with 73 points to sit at the summit of the table.
The Solskjaer sides may however rely on the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial’s conterattacking strength and Paul Pogba to hurt the Spanish sides.
Possible line-ups:
Man.
United: De Gea;
Young, Smalling, Lindelöf, Shaw; Matić,
Herrera, Pogba; Lingard, Rashford, Martial
Out:
Bailly (concussion), Darmian (unknown), Sánchez (knee), Valencia (fitness)
Doubtful:
Herrera (unknown), Matić (unknown),
Rashford (ankle)
Misses
next match if booked: Herrera, Matić, Shaw, Valencia, Young
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Piqué,
Lenglet, Alba; Vidal, Arthur, Busquets, Rakitić; Messi, Suárez
Out:
Rafinha (knee)
Doubtful:
Dembélé (hamstring)
Misses
next game if booked: Semedo
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