Man U vs Barcelona

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Barcelona and Manchester United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

[Click here](https://sporita.com/?utm_source=sportsmole&utm_campaign=170964)to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data United came up short against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League second round last season, with a 1-0 first-leg home defeat followed by a 1-1 away draw in the reverse fixture. That gap to the top of the table could have been shortened had United not dropped points in three of their last five league fixtures. Barca have lost five of their last 11 European games at Camp Nou, but they head into Thursday's contest having won each of the last four meetings with Man United. [Raphael Varane](/people/raphael-varane/) at the expense of [Harry Maguire](/people/harry-maguire/), while [Jadon Sancho](/people/jadon-sancho/) could continue on the right flank, joining [Bruno Fernandes](/people/bruno-fernandes/), Marcus Rashford and [Wout Weghorst](/people/wout-weghorst/) in attack. [Barcelona](/football/barcelona/) play host to [Manchester United](/football/man-utd/) in the first leg of their [Europa League](/football/europa-league/) playoff.

Since 1984, there has been a rivalry between Barcelona and Manchester United, and the two teams have frequently faced off in European championships. Despite ...

Although both teams have previously faced each other in the Champions League, this will be the first time they meet in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night at Camp Nou Stadium. Both clubs have frequently clashed, and their meetings have consistently created fascinating and occasionally intense matches. Despite playing in different leagues, they enjoy one of Europe’s fiercest rivalries.

Manchester United will be without centre-back Martinez for the Europa League clash with Barcelona on Thursday.

"It is a big decision but I think when you analyse the profile of (Erling) Haaland and the combination with (Kevin) De Bruyne it was also the right decision," Ten Hag explained in January. And I think we have more players in our squad who have the capacity to be multi-functional and we can use that as a weapon in games." It is no real surprise that Ten Hag has prioritised having a left-footed player on the left side of defence. With Barcelona in such good form, it is clearly a massive blow for United to be without one of their first-choice central defenders. Varane should start against the Catalan giants, and with Maguire and Lindelof both struggling for minutes this season, there is a good chance Ten Hag goes with Shaw alongside the Frenchman. [Harry Maguire](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/harry-maguire) was handed a start in United's 2-0 victory over Leeds on Sunday, but the England international didn't look overly convincing. There was some surprise Ten Hag retained Shaw at centre half in place of Martinez, but it worked. [Erik ten Hag](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/erik-ten-hag). When Manchester United visit the Nou Camp for the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie with Barcelona on Thursday, they will be without a key duo. It came as a surprise to see [Luke Shaw](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/luke-shaw) play alongside him, especially with Varane on the bench. The Argentine has formed a solid partnership with [Raphael Varane](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/raphael-varane), and the Reds look a better side when they are both on the pitch. The Austrian midfielder was yellow carded three times while playing for parent club Bayern Munich earlier this campaign.