Sergio Busquets is at risk of missing Barcelona’s Europa League tie with Manchester United after spraining his ankle ligament in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Sevilla on Sunday.
The club captain was forced off just four minutes into the contest and tests on Monday showed the severity of the damage. Barcelona have not put a timeframe on his return but instead said they will see how quickly the recovery process takes before making a judgement.
His absence against United next week would come as a blow for the La Liga leaders with the midfielder playing all but two of the Spanish side’s 20 league games this season, of which he has started 16.
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A statement from Barcelona on Monday said: “Tests carried out this morning have shown that Sergio Busquets has sprained the external lateral ligament of his left ankle. It is low and its evolution will mark his availability.”
This comes after Ousmane Dembele picked up a thigh problem in the club’s clash with Girona the prior weekend. The Frenchman was taken off after 26 minutes and manager Xavi admitted his return date is "difficult to predict”, although it’s widely assumed he will not be ready in time to start against United.
“It is a difficult loss to recover. We will try not to show it,” Xavi declared last week. United travel to the Nou Camp on February 16 with an injury blow of their own.
Christian Eriksen will miss both legs as well as potential later rounds due to his ankle injury that is keeping him sidelined until at least April. Resulting January deadline day arrival Marcel Sabitzer is available to feature in his wake, though.
Meanwhile, Casemiro will still be available for selection despite his three-game Premier League ban for violent conduct during Saturday’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, with domestic suspensions not affecting European exploits.
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