Alexis Sanchez is in contention to feature when Manchester United take on Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg at Camp Nou.
Manchester United will be hoping to script yet another memorable comeback tale in this season’s UEFA Champions League, when they pay Barcelona at Camp Nou on Tuesday night for the second leg of their quarter-final. And, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has seen his list of absentees slim down.
There have been no issues whatsoever in the goalkeeping department for a long time, and with David de Gea fit and available, there should be no changes between the sticks for Manchester United. There are a few absentees in defence, however.
Club captain Antonio Valencia (calf) and Eric Bailly (concussion) are out injured, while Luke Shaw will serve a one-match ban. But, Ashley Young is set to return after he missed the game against West Ham United this past weekend due to a suspension of his own.
The veteran Englishman though, should be deployed on the left side of the Manchester United defence, with Diogo Dalot continuing as the right-back. The central defensive partnership should see Victor Lindelof resume his partnership with Chris Smalling after Phil Jones had afforded him a rest against the Hammers.
The big news pertaining to the midfield department is that Nemanja Matic is fit and has travelled with the squad to Barcelona. But, the Serb is unlikely to be drafted into the lineup straightaway, judging by his performance the last time Solskjaer decided to do so.
In his stead, the Manchester United boss will recall Scott McTominay, who was rested this past weekend. Partnering McTominay in the middle of the park, should be Paul Pogba and Fred. Meanwhile, another player who is in contention to feature on Tuesday is Alexis Sanchez.
The Chilean has been unavailable since the win over Southampton last month, but has finally regained fitness ahead of the crunch fixture against his former club Barcelona. And, during his pre-match press conference, Solskjaer urged Sanchez to rediscover his best form when he returns to Camp Nou.
“Alex has been here and played here so it’s a big night for him. When he’s on the pitch, I’m sure he wants to prove a point. He wants to prove a point for us as well, because he’s been injured, he’s not had a fantastic season so far and let’s hope he can end it great for us because we are at the business end. Let’s hope Alexis, when he’s on the pitch, can be happy with his performance.”
Sanchez though, is only likely to be an option on the bench, with Marcus Rashford starting alongside Romelu Lukaku upfront. In the free role behind the strike partners, Jesse Lingard is expected to get the nod, with Anthony Martial and Juan Mata providing options as substitutes alongside Sanchez.
