Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Manchester United vs Barcelona: Starting Lineup Revealed


Thu 23 Feb 2023 | 09:39 PM
H-Tayea

Barcelona have traveled to Old Trafford to take on a familiar foe in Manchester United for the second leg of the Europa League knockout stages. The first leg, at Camp Nou, ended in a 2-2 draw, with exceptional performances from Raphinha and Marcus Rashford.

With Pedri and Gavi out of the game due to injury and suspension respectively, Barcelona are handicapped in midfield. As such, Franck Kessie and Frenkie de Jong have been given the keys to central midfield, with Sergio Busquets guarding them as the lone pivot.

Sergi Roberto gets the nods at left-wing, with Xavi aiming to retain his 3-2-2-3 shape. Raphinha starts on the other side as the right-winger, while Robert Lewandowski continues as the striker.

In defence, meanwhile, there are two changes from the first leg. Andreas Christensen comes in to join Ronald Araujo as the centre-back duos, while Jules Kounde starts at right-back. Alejandro Balde replaces Jordi Alba as the left-back.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen rounds off the XI as the goalkeeper, hoping to keep out the likes of Rashford and Bruno Fernandes. 

Confirmed Barça XI: ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Kessie, Busquets, de Jong; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Roberto

On the other hand, Manchester United will be hoping to see off the Catalan side as they host them for the second leg. They have made one change to the starting lineup from the first game.

Lisandro Martinez comes in at center-back after serving his first leg suspension, while Luke Shaw has been moved to the left-back, replacing Tyrell Malacia. Raphael Varane continues centrally, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka starts on the right. This back-four will be guarding David de Gea. 

Confirmed United XI: de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lisandro, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Bruno, Weghorst, Sancho; Rashford