UEFA Europa League Preview: Manchester United vs. FC Barcelona

Last week’s meeting ended 2-2, so we are in for an exhilarating game at Old Trafford tonight. Away goals are no longer applied, so tonight the winning team takes it all for further participation in the tournament.
Both teams have struggled with results in recent seasons, but this year FC Barcelona look like a winner of the Spanish La Liga, while United, with recent results, have entered the gold medal game in the Premier League.

The ambitions are higher than a Europa League title for both teams, but it is important for the outside world and their fans to show that they are back on track, and therefore any title will decorate the gathering. 

The two teams have a great history in Europe, and if you look at their mutual results, Barcelona has a clear advantage as United have only won 1 of the last 11 games (D5 L5). United's last win over Barcelona was in the 2008 semi-final.

The last 3 meetings between United and Barcelona: 

2023: Barcelona 2 - 2 Man United  
2019: Barcelona 3 – 0 Man United 
2019: Man United 0 – 1 Barcelona

Team News

Barcelona are missing their two youngsters as Pedri are ruled out with injury and Gavi is out with suspension. Busquets was back on the bench in the last game against Cadiz, so he is expected to start with De Jong and Kessie at the midfield. 

Ousmane Dembele is extremely doubtful as he has only just started training again after a thigh injury.

FC Barcelona’s expected lineup: 

Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Alonso, Alba; De Jong, Busquets, Kessie; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Fati

Manchester United will be without Christian Eriksen, Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial while Antony and Harry Maguire are doubtful. Sabitzer has ended his suspension, so the question is whether Ten Hag chooses to start with him or Fred in central midfield with Casemiro and Fernandes.

Manchester United expected lineup: 
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Sabitzer; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst

Player Profiles
Manchester United: Marcus Rashford

With 10 goals in his last 10 Premier League games, he is one of Europe's most dangerous strikers at the moment. He is the highest scoring player after the World Cup in all competitions and it is difficult to see who can stop him at the moment.

FC Barcelona: Raphinha 

Raphinha looks like a man who has found form with goals and assists after the World Cup. He has scored 5 goals and made 5 assists after the World Cup and he was clearly Barcelona's best player in the last match against United.
Ousmane Dembele is highly doubtful and therefore Raphinha must step up even more if Barcelona's offense is to work.

Key stats for the game
-    Manchester United have only won one of their last 11 games against Barcelona in European competition
-    Manchester United have only lost two of their last 11 European games at Old Trafford
-    Marcus Rashford has averaged a goal every 76 minutes for Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League this season 
-    Robert Lewandowski has scored 38 goals in 32 appearances in major European competition – most of all players 

Prediction
It will be a close and entertaining match, but we believe that due to crucial injuries to Barcelona and the home advantage, Manchester United will take the win.
We therefore believe that United will win 2-1 in a close match!