Three ways Man Utd could line up against Barcelona with injury concerns and two key stars SUSPENDED

ERIK TEN HAG faces a huge selection dilemma when Manchester United face Barcelona on Thursday.

This is because usual starters Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer are both suspended for the first leg after both picked up three yellow cards in the Europa and Champions League group stages respectively.

Injuries to Antony, Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial also limit Ten Hag’s choices further, with Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beel long-term absentees.

With this in mind, SunSport have taken a look at how Man Utd could line up for the tie.

The first and most likely line up will see Casemiro return to defensive midfield alongside Fred.

Harry Maguire will also partner Raphael Varane in defence after he was rested in the 2-0 win at Leeds, with Luke Shaw shifted back out at left-back in front of David De Gea.

Jadon Sancho will continue his comeback by appearing on the right flank in support of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Wout Weghorst.

An alternative starting XI could see Victor Lindelof play on the left of the defence with Tyrell Malacia at left-back.

Super sub Alejandro Garncho will also come back into the starting XI in favour of Sancho.

But this will likely push Rashford to the right wing once again – despite his relative ineffectiveness there.

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However, Ten Hag has been known to experiment with his teams.

He could consequently shake up the team by utilising a few players in different positions.

A return to the Leeds back line with Varane replacing the suspended Martinez alongside left centre-back Shaw could beckon for the Red Devils.

Lindelof could also come into defensive midfield alongside Casemiro for a more defensive minded set-up.

Ten Hag recently spoke about the Swede’s ability to play as a defensive midfielder.

He said: “He was educated as a six, a control, holding midfielder in Benfica, I know he can do that.

“We tried it in training, maybe one game, I want my centre halves in midfield positions so we create dynamics to construct more dynamic.”

In the attacking four, Fernandes could be shifted to the right-wing – where he has often been deployed towards the end of games – while Weghorst comes into the number 10.

The move was hailed as “genius” by fans as it helped United unlock the Leeds defence, with Rashford looking far more potent playing just in front of him as the sides most advanced forward.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk