Marcel Sabitzer has joined Lisandro Martinez in being suspended for Manchester United's mouth-watering clash with Barcelona.
The Red Devils visit the Camp Nou on Thursday for the first leg of their hotly-anticipated Europa League play-off tie, as Erik ten Hag and Xavi Hernandez's sides square off for a place in the last 16. While Xavi will be without midfield linchpin Sergio Busquets and electric winger Ousmane Dembele, Ten Hag has also learned that he'll be missing a key duo of his own.
It's long been known that Argentine defender Martinez won't feature in Spain after picking up three yellow cards in the group stage. His third booking - one which many fans and pundits believe was a soft decision - came during United's 1-0 win away to Real Sociedad, a result which wasn't enough to see them finish top of their group and ensure automatic qualification to the round of 16.
Now he'll be joined on the sidelines by January signing Sabitzer, whose three bookings in the Champions League group stage carry over to the Europa. The Austrian midfielder, who recently joined the Red Devils on loan until the end of the campaign, was yellow carded three times while playing for parent club Bayern Munich earlier this season.
As outlined by UEFA rule 52.03, Sabitzer is banned from facing Barcelona in the first leg but can play when the two European heavyweights meet again at Old Trafford a week later on the 23rd. That's the same predicament which Martinez finds himself in, giving Ten Hag two selection headaches ahead of the trip.]
With midfield general Casemiro likely to partner Brazilian compatriot Fred in midfield, Sabitzer's omission isn't a major blow but does mean that United may not be able to call on any senior midfielders from the bench. Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek have been sidelined until April and next season respectively, while Scott McTominay has missed the last five matches through injury.
Have your say! Will Man Utd beat Barcelona without Sabitzer and Martinez? Let us know in the comments section.
In defence, Martinez's absence is more troubling. Club captain Harry Maguire was handed a start during the Red Devils' hard-fought 2-0 victory over Leeds on Sunday, but didn't look overly convincing. Regular left-back Luke Shaw was his surprise partner, as first-choice centre-back Raphael Varane was afforded a rest.
While Shaw has impressed in the unfamiliar role when called upon, Victor Lindelof is a more natural option to play alongside Varane, whose partnership with Martinez has been the bedrock of United's promising winter run under Ten Hag. Whoever lines up for the Red Devils will have a difficult task against an in-form Barcelona.
Led by Polish marksman Robert Lewandowski, the likes of Pedri, Gavi, Raphinha, Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres have helped the Blaugrana build an 11-point lead at the top of La Liga. While their priority remains fending off bitter rivals Real Madrid domestically, Barcelona will be hoping to give their fans something to cheer about after humiliatingly being dumped out of the Champions League at the first hurdle, as they finished third in a group containing Sabitzer's Bayern and Italian giants Inter Milan.
