08:08 PM
7 minutes: Man Utd 0-0 Barcelona (2-2)
United have seemed good to this point – they’ve attacked in numbers and as I kind Wan-Bissaka is almost performed in within the last third by Fernandes however the ball is intercepted.
08:06 PM
5 minutes: Man Utd 0-0 Barcelona (2-2)
The noise is deafening at Previous Trafford and it has been a very good begin for the hosts. Rashford is fouled on the sting of the realm by Busquets however the ref, Clement Turpin, waves play on.
08:05 PM
3 minutes: Man Utd 0-0 Barcelona (2-2)
What a terrific probability for the hosts and Fernandes specifically. Barca lose the ball in midfield and Casemiro, on the second time of asking, picks out the Portuguese with an extended, raking move that splits the guests’ backline. Fernandes is in on objective and takes his time – maybe an excessive amount of time – earlier than unleashing a low shot that Ter Stegen saves along with his legs. That ought to have been the early lead for United.
08:02 PM
2 minutes: Man Utd 0-0 Barcelona (2-2)
Early knock for Kounde as Shaw crops his measurement nines on his foot – ouch. As soon as play will get again underneath approach United play an extended ball to nobody.
08:00 PM
1min: Man Utd 0-0 Barcelona
They’re underneath the best way at Previous Trafford. The hosts are of their conventional crimson and guests within the golden (or is it a pastel yellow?!) away equipment.
Will this leg be something as excited as final week’s humdinger? let’s hope so…
07:56 PM
The groups are out on the pitch
And we’re moments away from the beginning.
07:49 PM
Man Utd in all probability begin as marginal favorites tonight…
…enjoying at residence and many others.
But it surely’s properly value remembering that Barca are unbeaten for the reason that finish of October. Since then they’ve received 15 and drawn three. And with a midfield of De Jong and Busquets United with have an enormous battle on their arms to regulate midfield. It ought to be an interesting contest.
07:38 PM
Barcelona coach Xavi speaks – ‘I feel it is 50-50’
On the type of Marcus Rashford…
“He is tough to face. He is quick, he is nice one vs one, and goes deep. However should put line of defense excessive to regulate these actions.”
On the type of Manchester United…
“That is one of the best Manchester United facet for a number of years, they’re at present the most effective sides in Europe.”
On who’re the favourites…
“Possibly [Manchester United a] they’re at residence. But it surely thinks it is 50-50.”
07:34 PM
Manchester United pay their respects to John Motson
07:33 PM
Anybody fancy a Manchester United-themed vacation?
For Metropolis and Liverpool followers the reply might be ‘NO!’. However for any soccer fan the identify of George Finest evokes reminiscences of greatness and European brilliance.
Our very personal Jim White spent a weekend in Belfast staying in Finest’s childhood residence.
“What a spot it’s. The wallpaper, the wardrobes, the telly: the interval touches make you smile the second you stroll in. But it surely’s the sudden particulars that basically delight. The gold and black soccer equipment laid out prepared on the chair in George’s bed room, recalling the actual fact he was a Wolves fan as an adolescent; his now laminated faculty stories from Nettlefield Main on the eating room desk (“needlework: VG”); to not neglect the letter he despatched again residence from United’s youth workforce tour to San Sebastian in 1962, correspondence that hinted of curiosity to return (“climate and ladies fabulous”).”
READ: My weekend in the home the place George Finest’s genius was first uncovered
07:18 PM
The 2 XIs in old school black and white
MAN UTD XI TO FACE BARCELONA: de Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Fred, Bruno Fernandes, Weghorst, Sancho, Rashford.
Replacements: Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia, Sabitzer, Dalot, Antony, Heaton, Pellistri, Elanga, McTominay, Garnacho, Mainoo.
Erik ten Hag has made 4 modifications from the XI that beat Leicester on the weekend. Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro and Jadon Sancho are available in for Victor Lindelof, Diogo Dalot, Marcel Sabitzer and Alejandro Garnacho.
BARCELONA XI TO FACE MAN UTD: Ter Stegen, Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Christensen, Balde, de Jong, Busquets, Kessie, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Sergi Roberto.
Replacements: Fati, Torres, Pena, Alonso, Jordi Alba, Garcia, Casado, Torre, Tenas. Referee: Clement Turpin (France)
Accidents to Gavi and Pedri have pressured modifications for Barca – in come Ronald Araujo, Sergio Busquets, Franck Kessie and ex-Leeds United ahead Raphinha.
07:06 PM
Right here be Barcelona
07:06 PM
Here is how the hosts line up
06:15 PM
Has this recreation come on the proper time for Manchester United?
By Daniel Zeqiri
Manchester United are combating on 4 fronts and tonight’s Europa League play-off second leg in opposition to Barcelona may very well be the beginning of an exhilarating 10 days for the membership’s supporters.
United are favorites to advance to the last-16 after an exciting 2-2 draw within the Nou Camp, after they created the higher possibilities in opposition to the La Liga leaders. On Sunday, they play Newcastle United within the Carabao Cup last at Wembley for the possibility to win their first main silverware since 2017. The next Sunday, they play their subsequent Premier League match away at rivals Liverpool after they might enhance their burgeoning title credentials ( although leaders Arsenal do play 3 times earlier than then).
Their trigger this night is helped by the truth that Barcelona’s pair of younger midfield abilities, Pedri and Gavi, are dominated out with harm. Sergio Busquets is a really achieved and skilled participant to step in, however may very well be discovered wanting if United expose his getting older legs to quick assaults. Barcelona have seemed the true deal domestically, each on the pitch and statistically, however United reduce by way of them with ease within the away leg. Xavi used Marcos Alonso as a left-sided centre-back in that recreation, which is unquestionably asking for hassle at Previous Trafford.
Marcus Rashford continued his flying kind with targets in opposition to Leicester on Sunday, and he’s the participant Barcelona should stifle if they’re to face any probability of development. With Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha within the ahead line, Barcelona carry objective menace but it surely feels as if the wind is in United’s sails and Erik ten Hag made a degree of energizing the group for a giant European night time.
“Will probably be a really tough recreation, Manchester United are the most effective groups in Europe at present and so they’re exhibiting it each recreation,” mentioned Xavi.
“(Supervisor Erik) Ten Hag is doing a terrific job. They’re a workforce that present depth, mentality, ardour, rhythm… we might want to match them in each stage, to point out character and be loyal to our type.
“Above all, we want the deliver the mentality to compete in Europe. We will say that Manchester United have returned and they’re enjoying their greatest soccer in a few years. It’s a good alternative to point out that Barca can even compete.”
Full workforce information on the best way shortly.