Manchester United line-up against Barcelona at Old Trafford tonight at 8pm for the biggest game of the club’s season so far.
This decisive glamour tie has more lustre than any Champions League game taking place this week, and the star power to match.
United have home advantage and while Erik ten Hag knows many aspects of his best team, there are several big decisions he will have been poring over.
It’s nearly time for the Manchester United boss to make his calls, and then it’s over to the players. One way or another, it will be a match to remember, hopefully for the right reasons.
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Predicted Manchester United XI
Manchester United have four options available against Barcelona who sat out the first leg. Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer return from suspension and Antony and Scott McTominay are back from injury. These are all great options to have, they just make selection decisions a little less straightforward.
One easy decision is David de Gea starting in goal. Another is Raphael Varane lining up at centre-back.
We expect Lisandro Martinez to start alongside him, confirming their status as United’s first choice defensive partnership.
Luke Shaw began at centre-back in the first leg. He will shift over to left-back for this game with Tyrell Malacia dropping out.
Another change could come at right-back, with the more attack-minded Diogo Dalot starting ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Midfield will see Casemiro start, and debate will rage over who should partner him. Fred is the most likely to get the call ahead of Marcel Sabitzer.
Fred is more a known quantity as a midfield partner for Casemiro. Sabitzer has never played alongside him and this may not be the game to experiment.
United’s front four will consist of Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst, Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho.
This quartet could feature in differing ways. Wout Weghorst could either lead the line or play as a 10, while Sancho and Fernandes may each either play at 10 or the right wing. Sancho could even switch to the left if Rashford is pushed up front.
United will have attacking options on the bench with Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Facundo Pellistri and Anthony Elanga, while Sabitzer and McTominay could each join the fray in midfield in the second half.
Now see the confirmed line-up
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