All eyes are on Old Trafford as Manchester United face Barcelona for a place in the Europa League round of 16 after playing out a first leg 2-2 draw in the Catalan capital last week.
After beating Leicester City in between the two legs, the attention of Erik ten Hag almost immediately switched to this upcoming challenge, and the manager evidenced the magnitude of the match during an exchange with supporters surrounding the Old Trafford tunnel. "Come Thursday," Ten Hag said. "It's a big game, make sure you are there, and we beat Barcelona together."
Thursday has now come, and the supporters will be there, so all that is left to do is the small matter of beating Barcelona, a feat not achieved in a competitive match for approaching 15 years in the process of reaching the 2008 Champions League final courtesy of that screamer from Paul Scholes. Ahead of this latest instalment in such a historic fixture, the Manchester Evening News has you covered with all of the information that you need to know ahead of kick-off.
READ MORE: How United should line up vs Barcelona in Europa League second leg
United squad
De Gea, Heaton, Butland, Bishop; Maguire, Dalot, Varane, Shaw, Martinez, Williams, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Malacia; Casemiro, McTominay, Iqbal, Fred, Fernandes, Mainoo, Sabitzer; Antony, Elanga, Pellistri, Rashford, Weghorst, Garnacho, Sancho.
Barcelona squad
Ter Stegen, Araujo, Busquets, Lewandowski, Fati, Ferran, Christensen, Alonso, Alba, Kessie, Roberto, De Jong, Raphinha, Kounde, Garcia, Pena, Balde, Casado, Torre, Tenas.
United team news
Ten Hag has received a timely double injury boost as the manager expects Antony and club captain Harry Maguire to be available, with both taking part in training ahead of the match after overcoming their respective injuries. Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer are both available again after serving their one-match suspensions for yellow card accumulation in the first leg.
Anthony Martial will not be available, though, as the forward has yet to partake in team training and is only doing light, individual ball work at this stage of the recovery process from a hip injury. Long-term absentee Donny van de Beek remains way off from a return.
Barcelona team news
Since being substituted just before half-time during the first leg at Camp Nou, Pedri has been diagnosed with a serious hamstring injury that means the midfielder will play no further part in this tie. Neither will Gavi after the teenager received a yellow card would a professional foul on Fred that triggered a one-match ban by collecting a third booking in UEFA competitions this campaign.
Ousmane Dembele also remains sidelined through injury. One positive piece of news for the club's head coach Xavi is that club captain Sergio Busquets has recovered from a twisted ankle and is a part of the squad which travelled to Manchester.
United predicted XI
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Fernandes, Weghorst, Sancho; Rashford.
Barcelona predicted XI
Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Alba; Kessie, De Jong, Roberto; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Fati.
United vs Barcelona odds
90 mins
Man Utd: 6/5
Draw: 12/5
Barcelona 9/4
Odds via Betfair
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