On Thursday night, Man Utd host Barcelona in the second leg of their Europa League knockout stage play-off contest at Old Trafford.
United host Barcelona in the second leg of their Europa League play-off on Thursday night
Man Utd will have ambitions of pulling off a famous victory over Barcelona when the two sides meet in the second leg of their Europa League play-off at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.
United, who last beat the Spanish giants back in 2008, will fancy their chances of progressing to the last-16 of the competition following last Thursday’s 2-2 draw in the Camp Nou.
Raphinha’s 76th-minute equaliser earned Barcelona a draw, after Marcus Rashford had scored and then played a key hand to force a Jules Kounde own-goal to turn the game on its head after Marcos Alonso’s opener five minutes after half-time. It means the Reds are in a strong position to get the job done and keep their European dream for this season alive.
Ahead of the second meeting between the two European giants, MEN Sport has taken a close look at five reasons why United should be confident about getting the job done:
Old Trafford form
There cannot possibly be many grounds that an opponent would fear visiting more than Old Trafford at this moment in time. United have turned their home ground back into the fortress it was always renowned as being, using it as the bedrock for their improvements under Ten Hag this season.
Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leicester City marked a 14th win in their last 15 matches at Old Trafford, highlighting just how much of a fortress it has become again. Leeds United are the only side to have stopped United winning on their own patch since October 16.
The Reds have lost just three of their 21 matches on home soil in all competitions this season, highlighting just how difficult it has been for teams to come and get the better of United. Ten Hag, at the end of Sunday’s game, called for the fans to bring the noise – and you can guarantee they will.
Big-game experience
Erik ten Hag has transformed Man Utd’s fortunes this season.
United have beaten Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at home this season, as well as drawing away from home against Chelsea and Barcelona. They have found a way, particularly at home, to get the job done in the biggest matches.
With the exception of the 6-3 humbling at City in October, United have matched the biggest sides stride for stride this season and made light work of others. Powered by Ten Hag’s philosophy and impeccable standards, they have the knowhow of how to get the job done.
Rashford’s on fire
How do you stop Rashford? That is the question every manager tasked with facing United in the coming weeks will be asking themselves. The academy graduate is in the form of his life right now, so much so that it was no surprise to see him set a new personal best for goals scored in a single season against Leicester.
He has 24 goals to his name so far this season and you would not bet against him adding to his tally against Barcelona. He has scored six goals in his last five games and has plundered an incredible 16 goals in just 17 games since returning from the World Cup in December.
He has ice flowing through his veins and is scoring a wide variety of goals from both out wide and through the middle. With the form he is in right now, he may give United the upper hand before the game has even kicked-off.
Casemiro returns
Casemiro is set to start against Barcelona.
After sitting out the final game of his domestic ban against Leicester, Casemiro is poised to return to the starting line-up against Barcelona. He started last week’s first leg and produced a typically dominant performance in the engine room.
When he plays, United usually play better. Although they took seven points from the three league games he missed during his ban, the performances, certainly in the first halves of those games, were well below par.
His presence in the will give United an undisputed lift, such is the role he has played in transforming the Reds’ fortunes this season. However, it remains to be seen who will partner him, with both Marcel Sabitzer and Fred available for selection.
Barcelona lose their young guns
If losing Pedri was not a big enough blow for Barcelona against United last week, their woes were compounded further when Gavi was shown a yellow card in the second half, ruling him out of the trip to Old Trafford. It marked his third caution of Barcelona’s European campaign, meaning he must now serve a one-match suspension.
Their absences mean Barcelona are two men light in midfield, robbing them of their golden youngsters. Fortunately, they have Sergio Busquets back available and he is likely to start.
source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
