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Man Utd team news: Predicted 4-2-3-1 line up to face Barcelona - two stars OUT?
MANCHESTER UNITED are sweating on the fitness of several first-team stars ahead of their Champions League clash with Barcelona tonight (8pm).
Barcelona train at Old Trafford ahead of Man United match
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has several injury concerns as United prepare for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona at Old Trafford.
Paul Pogba is available after suspension but up to seven other players could be sidelined for the visit of the Catalan club.
Marcus Rashford is one such player who is doubtful after missing the FA Cup defeat to Wolves with an ankle injury.
Speaking about the striker in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Solskjaer said: “He needed the extra warm up, hopefully he won’t get a reaction, he couldn’t join the boxes which is the fun part of training, let’s see tomorrow, hopefully he will be ready.
The United manager also gave an update on Alexis Sanchez, with the Chilean having been sidelined in recent weeks.
“First training session today with the team, he’s done lots of recovery work,” said Solskjaer.
“He is injury free. Train with the team, probably in the squad for West Ham on Saturday. He is not going to be able to join in tomorrow.”
While it was good news regarding Sanchez, neither Nemanja Matic nor Ander Herrera were spotted taking part in the training session at Carrington.
Their absence could see Scott McTominay given a rare start in central midfield while Antonio Valencia, Matteo Darmian and Eric Bailly are all ruled out.
However, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Phil Jones are all available again having missed the dramatic 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the previous round.
Romelu Lukaku should lead the line while Diogo Dalot may be deployed in an advanced role on the right flank.
Martial will deputise if Rashford is not fit while Chris Smalling should partner Victor Lindelof in central defence.
Manchester United predicted line-up vs Barcelona – Champions League
(4-2-3-1): De Gea; Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; McTominay, Pogba; Dalot, Lingard, Rashford; Lukaku