UEFA confirm Marcel Sabitzer suspended for Manchester United v Barcelona first leg

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UEFA has confirmed Marcel Sabitzer will be suspended for Manchester United’s Europa League first leg against Barcelona.

United In Focus earlier reported Sabitzer was set to be suspended for the first leg of this month’s Europa League knockout play-off.

Now UEFA’s website has confirmed Sabitzer will miss the upcoming fixture in the Nou Camp.

He is one of two players set to miss the first leg along with Lisandro Martinez who picked up a yellow card in final group stage game, his third of the competition.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023

Why Sabitzer is suspended

Marcel Sabitzer is suspended because he picked up three yellow cards in the Champions League group stages for Bayern Munich, with the third received in their final group game.

This meant he was due to be suspended for the first leg of Bayern’s last 16 game against PSG, until he switched clubs.

UEFA’s website rule 52.03 states suspensions are carried over from one competition to another, during the same seasons.

Missing Sabitzer is also a blow because he faced Barcelona twice in the Champions League group stages, playing 45 minutes in a 2-0 win and 45 minutes in a 3-0 win against them.

The good news for Manchester United is that Sabitzer will be available to face Barcelona in the second leg at Old Trafford.

When will Sabitzer get to play alongside Casemiro

Sabitzer has been a useful addition for Manchester United since arriving on loan. He was first signed to fill the gap created by Christian Eriksen’s injury.

An extra complication came with Casemiro receiving a three game suspension. Sabitzer is yet to play alongside him.

Casemiro is eligible to feature against Barcelona, an opponent he knows incredibly well from his time at Real Madrid, and he is also rested after a week’s break.

Then he will be suspended again for the league game against Leicester on Sunday, when Sabitzer will again be eligible.

The first time the pair can play together will be the second leg against Barcelona, followed by the Carabao Cup final.