5 Players That Will Be Crucial For Manchester United Against Barcelona

The day is finally here, the day that will prove if Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are a new side or not. The side has definitely made tremendous strides under the Norwegian, but they still look far from being a side that any big team can fear coming up against.

Yes, they pulled off wins against Juventus and PSG in their return fixtures away, but against Barcelona, they’ll have to overcome all odds. First of all, Barcelona is a settled side that has vast experience especially in Europe and to add to all that they have the talent of Lionel Messi.

In Messi alone, the team has one of the best players to have ever played the game. And with United trailing by one goal to nil, Barcelona will seriously fancy their chances of progressing into the next round.

Manchester United, no doubt have an uphill task trying to get past Barca in this tie tonight and will need some of their players to step up and help them win this tie. From all across the pitch, players will have to be at their best and work over and beyond to win the game. Here are the players that will be crucial for Manchester United at Camp Nou.

David De Gea

Manchester United v West Ham United - Premier League

David De Gea made no mistake against Barcelona in the first leg, he kept things simple and calm and claimed what saves he could. In fact, the goal that he conceded was really just bad luck. Though Barcelona weren't quite as clinical as you may have excepted them to be, at Camp Nou, things are going to be different.

Barca will know that the only way they can stop United from trying to build momentum is if they can score early. They will definitely try to apply pressure on David De Gea’s goal and the Spaniard will have to be alert to their attacks.

Also, David De Gea will be crucial in trying to build quick counters for his side and his distribution will have to be top notch here, not just his savings.

Chris Smalling

Manchester United v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: First Leg

Against Barcelona in the first leg, Chris Smalling was basically the defender that stood out. The fact that he scored an own goal doesn’t take that away from him. He was quite solid and really tried to rally his teammates and tried his best to keep the line.

Here, he’s likely to be joined by Victor Lindelof who is going to take the responsibility of building attacks from the back. One job that Smalling will have to do and do well is going to be defending. And that’s against the likes of Messi, Suarez and Dembele.

This will be by far the toughest task that the English man will have faced this season. But judging by the kind of form he’s been on, it’s a job he’ll relish. And considering that Ole has chopped and changed the defensive personnel for some few weeks, Smalling has been the only consistent figure in that backline, he’ll have a huge role to play here.

He left Messi bloodied in the first leg and will have to ensure the Argentine doesn’t have a smell of his goal in this tie, together with the other Barca forwards.

Paul Pogba

Manchester United Training Session and Press Conference

Manchester United are expected to sit deep and defend in this tie and will likely want to hit Barca on the counter. This is where they will really need Paul Pogba to step up. He’s likely going to be the link between the defence and the attack here.

Transitioning the ball will have to be fast and creative so that no counter will go to waste. Paul will surely come in handy in this aspect if he can step up and have a better game than he had at Old Trafford. Being that he’s currently one of the most looked-at stars in this squad and basically their best creative threat, he’ll have to have a good game.

Barcelona will no doubt, try to handle him and keep him from having a good game, but he should be prepared for that and match them in kind. All good players usually step up when their team need them and Pogba will have to do just that for Manchester United here.

Marcus Rashford

There seems to be a poor patch of form in Marcus Rashford of late. But that is something that Ole is definitely not worried about since the striker has obvious potential. And at only 21 years old, that’s kind of expected from him.

Against Barcelona at Old Trafford, Rashford didn’t cover himself in glory; this was one of his silent games. At Camp Nou however, with Manchester United chasing an unimaginable comeback, the young Englishman will have to be on top form. He’s expected to start as the lone striker here and that will leave him most of the time trying to hold up play.

This is something that the Englishman will have to do and do well if United are to overturn this tie. Other than that, he’ll have to work the channels and make sure he stretches play anytime he gets the chance. Also, he’ll have to be ruthlessly clinical here as United can’t afford to lose any chances.

If all goes well, he will also be needed to put a huge defensive display in the closing minutes of the tie.

Jesse Lingard

Jesse Lingard has looked a shadow of his former self since he picked up a hamstring injury sometime back. But against Barcelona, like he tends to do against big teams, Jesse Lingard will be expected to be one of the influencers for Manchester United.

Before his injury, Jesse Lingard made Ole Gunnar’s system work and if he wasn’t rushed back after his injury against PSG in their first leg, United may have been seeing more of his best at the moment.

He’s sleek, runs his socks off and is creative as well; Barca defenders will have a torrid time coming up against him if he’s on form tonight. He’ll pull the defenders out of position and hence allowing the forwards and any deep runner to do damage to Barcelona.

He’ll also be important for Manchester United when they are trying to keep shape especially defensively. He’ll track back willingly and give United an advantage there as well.

Edited by Emeka Monyei