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      Man Utd Champions League winner looks unrecognisable after taking huge role in Xavi’s Barcelona rebuild

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      A MANCHESTER UNITED Champions League winner looks completely unrecognisable after taking a huge role in Barcelona’s rebuild. The former attacking midfielder works as a sporting advisor for the Catalan giants.
      This ex-Man Utd star looks unrecognisable in his new role at BarcelonaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Gone is his long and wavy light-coloured hair as he now dons a bald look.
      The 49-year-old featured for Man Utd across four seasons at the club.
      In total, he made 58 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals.
      During his time at Old Trafford he won the 1996/97 Premier League and 1998/99 Champions League.
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      He also had a spell at Barcelona, playing 54 times for the club.
      The Dutchman also had spells at Celta Vigo, Deportivo Alaves and Espanyol.
      After hanging up his boots he managed the Ecuadorian national team and Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.
      Despite his vast football career, some will best know him for being the son of a legend of the game.
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      That’s because his old man was Johan Cruyff, widely regarded as one of the greatest players and managers ever.
      Jordi Cruyff is now working at his and his dad’s old club Barca, helping current boss Xavi imprint his style.
      Man Utd are set to play the LaLiga outfit in the Europa League play-off round.
      Cruyff was in attendance at the draw and admitted he struggled to control his excitement for the game when he found out.
      On his father’s legacy and pressure to live up to him, he told The Telegraph: “You compare mortal with an immortal, a legend with a normal player.
      “I know if people love to compare then it’s stressful because you can never win.
      I think I had that stress in Spain when I was younger and when I went to Man Utd that’s where I felt liberated from all this – in my opinion – stupidity.
      “I still have it almost on a daily basis, the older generation they still have tears when they see me, they want to talk.
      “They just have a necessity to say something about my father and people still have tears in their eyes. I hear it. I’m proud.”
      Jordi Cruyff won the Premier League at Man UtdCredit: PA:Empics Sport More

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      Why is Marcel Sabitzer not playing against Barcelona?

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      MANCHESTER UNITED face Barcelona in a challenging Europa League contest – and Marcel Sabitzer is unavailable for the first leg.The Red Devils have been paired with Champions League drop-outs Barca after failing to top Group E.
      Marcel Sabitzer is unavailable for United’s clash vs BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      And Erik Ten Hag will be delighted that his side are going in to this match off the back of some good form.
      However, the United boss’ midfield crisis continues as Sabitzer is OUT of contention along with Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek.
      Why can’t Sabitzer play against Barcelona?
      Before the Austrian transferred to the Red Devils, he played for Bayern Munich during the Champions League group stage.
      Sabitzer picked up a suspension while playing for Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
      Sabitzer played in all of Bayern Munich’s Champions League games and helped them achieve first place in the group.
      However, during these six games, Sabitzer received THREE yellow cards against Barcelona, Inter Milan and Viktoria Plzen.
      Under UEFA rules, Sabitzer must now miss United’s game against Barcelona due to suspension for too many yellow cards, leaving Ten Hag with scarce midfield options.
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      Why is Lisandro Martinez not playing for Man Utd against Barcelona?

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are playing Barcelona in a knockout Europa League match TOMORROW – but Lisandro Martinez is unavailable.The Red Devils finished second in their Europa League group on goal difference to Real Sociedad.
      Lisandro Martinez will miss Manchester United’s first leg against BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      This puts them in a playoff knockout where they were drawn to play against Spanish giants Barcelona.
      And Erik Ten Hag will have to navigate his way through the first leg without Martinez.
      Why is Lisandro Martinez not playing against Barcelona?
      Lisandro Martinez picked up THREE yellow cards in United’s six group-stage games.
      He received these yellow cards against Omonia and Real Sociedad twice.
      UEFA rules state “In the Champions League and Europa League, players will be banned for receiving three yellow cards” More

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

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      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.
      How Man Utd could line up against Barcelona
      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.
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      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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      An alternative look at the potential starting XI
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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.
      An experimental look at United’s potential XI More

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      Man Utd stars drive into training in style in plush cars before jetting to Barcelona for Europa clash

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      MANCHESTER UNITED arrived at training in style ahead of their trip to Barcelona.The Red Devils take on the La Liga leaders in the first leg of their Europa League tie on Thursday.
      Marcus Rashford showed up in his £280,000 McLarenCredit: Zenpix
      Harry Maguire prepares for training after playing at the weekendCredit: Zenpix
      Lisandro Martinez was accompanied by a friend on his way into trainingCredit: Zenpix
      Brandom Williams arrived in a flash carCredit: Zenpix
      Fred could play a big role against BarcelonaCredit: Zenpix
      United stars arrived at Carrington to train ahead of their trip to the Nou Camp.
      Marcus Rashford turned up in a fancy McLaren with a personalised ‘R10 LTM’ number plate.
      The luxurious McLaren 765 Long Tail is worth an estimated £280,000.
      The car has a top speed of 205mph, hitting 60mph in just 2.1 seconds.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Rashford’s team-mates Fred and Brandon Wiliams were also spotted driving into the training complex.
      While Bruno Fernandes also looked stylish arriving in his Mercedes-Benz GLC-Coupe.
      World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez turned up in a flashy black Audi with Harry Maguire in a Range Rover.
      The United squad will be hopeful of picking up a result to take back to Manchester and have been boosted by the news Ousmane Dembele is unavailable for the clash.
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      The Barcelona winger has impressed this season but is absent with a thigh injury he picked up at the end of last month.
      In-form Rashford could be key for the Red Devils following a return of 13 goals in his last 15 games.
      But Xavi reportedly has a plan to stop him – by making central defender Ronald Auraujo man-mark him out of the game. More

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      How Man Utd lined up last time they beat Barcelona with just two players from ENTIRE SQUAD still playing

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      MANCHESTER UNITED head to the Nou Camp aiming to beat Barcelona for the first time in FIFTEEN years.Erik ten Hag’s side drew the Spanish giants in a blockbuster Europa League play-off tie.
      Manchester United beat Barcelona most recently in 2008Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      United have lost their last four meetings with Barca – the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals and the 2019 quarter-finals.
      But they got the better of Frank Rijkaard’s men in the semi-finals in 2008 to book their place in the final, where they beat Chelsea on penalties in Moscow.
      The first leg ended 0-0 in Spain before a 1-0 win back at Old Trafford on April 29.
      Paul Scholes scored a stunning effort to seal the tie, letting fly from 25 yards to beat Victor Valdes – although the midfielder later admitted it was a miskicked slice.
      READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS
      Now, though, just two members of United’s entire squad from that memorable night are still playing professional football.
      Those two are Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently left the Red Devils again for Al-Nassr, and unused sub Danny Welbeck, still in the Premier League with Brighton.
      Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes up front alongside Carlos Tevez.
      Scholes lined up in the middle of the park with Michael Carrick, who is now trying to lead Middlesbrough to promotion in his first managerial job.
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      Nani and Park Ji-Sung were the wide men under Sir Alex Ferguson with a back four of Owen Hargreaves, Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown and Patrice Evra.
      Edwin van der Sar was in goal with Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs and Mikael Silvestre coming off the bench.
      Tomasz Kuszczak, Anderson and John O’Shea remained on the bench alongside Welbeck.
      For Barca, Lionel Messi is the only member of the squad still with a club, and a Champions League one at that with Paris Saint-Germain, with Bojan recently leaving Vissel Kobe.
      Among the starters for the Catalan club in Manchester were Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Yaya Toure, Samuel Eto’o and now-manager Xavi – while Thierry Henry came off the bench.
      Paul Scholes scored the only goal of the Champions League semi-final tieCredit: PA
      Cristiano Ronaldo came out on the winning sideCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Lionel Messi is the only player from the two squads still an active Champions League playerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Man Utd boost as key Barcelona star not in squad for Europa League clash following injury

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      OUSMANE DEMBELE is not in Barcelona’s squad to face Manchester United.The LaLiga side welcome United to the Nou Camp in the Europa League Round of 32 but will be without their key man.
      Ousmane Dembele is missing due to injuryCredit: AFP
      Barca announced their 22-man squad for the clash which includes Robert Lewandowski and Red Devils transfer target Frenkie de Jong.
      But Dembele is absent with a thigh injury keeping him out of action.
      The winger suffered the injury against Girona at the end of January and was forced off in that game.
      He is also expected to miss the return leg at Old Trafford next week in what is a big boost to Erik ten Hag’s side.
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      Dembele has impressed this season and has been a key part of Barcelona’s attack with eight goals and seven assists in all competitions.
      Barcelona boss Xavi has called upon Raphinha in his absence with Gavi operating at left-wing.
      Despite Dembele’s quality he has not been missed with Barca winning three out of three since he was sidelined.
      Wonderkid Ansu Fati or former Manchester City star Ferran Torres could also be given a chance to shine in Thursday’s clash.
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      United have reportedly “been in contact” with Fati over a potential summer transfer with the youngster also interesting Arsenal and Liverpool.
      And while the Red Devils will be aware of the threat posed by Barca, Xavi is concerned with the danger of Marcus Rashford.
      He said in his pre-match press conference: “I fully agree with that. Rashford is one of the most dangrous players in Europe.
      “He is very fast, very good at dribbling one-on-one and very dangerous in the transition.
      “So we are going to have to take care against him.” More

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      Why are Arsenal not playing in the Europa League this week?

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      THIS week is jam-packed with European football with various Europa League matches, including teams such as Ajax and Roma. Most notably, Manchester Utd are taking on Spanish league leaders Barcelona in a heavyweight matchup.
      Arsenal celebrating Europa League winCredit: Getty
      Arsenal are playing Manchester City in the Premier League in a title decisive fixture on Wednesday.
      Arsenal are also in the Europa League but will not be playing against any opponent this week.
      Why are Arsenal not playing in the Europa League this week?
      The eight Europa League games this week are part of the last-32 play-off games.
      Teams taking part in this round of Europa League either finished second in their group OR finished third in their Champions League group.
      Arsenal finished first in their Europa League group, this means they don’t need to take part in the RO32 because they have secured their spot in the last 16.
      When do Arsenal play next in the Europa League?

      After the round of Europa League games this week, there will be a draw on February 24.
      In this draw, Arsenal will find out who their opponents will be in the RO16.
      Arsenal will then play their next Europa League match on the 9th and 16th March. More