Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has a big selection headache on his hands before their Europa League play-off against Barcelona.
The Red Devils have been drawn against the La Liga giants in the play-off stage of the knockout phase.
Whoever wins will enter the last-16, but it’s too early to talk about that now after getting the most difficult draw possible. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Xavi Hernandez said Barcelona got the worst draw possible and we obviously agree with the legendary midfielder.
However, Barcelona will host the first-leg at Camp Nou and Ten Hag already knows that he will have to deal with the absence of Lisandro Martinez when his squad travels to Spain.
Martinez, 24, will be suspended when the two teams meet for the first time after the World Cup, but he will be back available for the return leg at Old Trafford.
The combative centre-back picked up three bookings in the group stages, therefore, must miss one game in the competition before returning to the line-up.
It comes as a huge blow to United because Martinez has featured in all 19 of our games this season, delivering a number of impressive performances, but now Ten Hag must plan a way to stop Barcelona’s best attacking players without his main man at the back.
Barca boast attacking talent like Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha. United will need to be at their very best defensively in both legs.
We will keep our fingers and toes crossed so that Raphael Varane will be available. That way we won’t be relying on Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof at centre-back.
