UEFA Champions League 2018/19: Man Utd vs Barcelona First XIs, Stats Breakdown

Defensive Midfielder 1: Nemanja Matic vs Sergio Busquets

Veteran Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic was brought to United by Jose Mourinho after a successful spell at Chelsea and the 30-year-old quickly established himself as the foundation of Mourinho's side. He was a key part of the 2017 Europa League-winning squad and has continued as a mainstay now in Soksjaer's short tenure as United custodian. Often described as too slow on the ball, the lanky Serbian compensates with excellent shielding of the ball and shrewd passing. He has an uncanny ability to sniff out opposition passes and ranks high in terms of interceptions per game.

Nemanja Matic-the Serbian Destroyer

World Cup winner Sergio Busquets is perhaps the second name on Ernesto Valverde's team sheet and has been an undisputed starter both for Barcelona and Spain for over a decade now. A key side of the all-conquering Spanish side that won three championships in a row-the 2008 and 2012 Euros and the 2010 World Cup, Sergio is a second generation Blaugrana, his father Carles Busquets having been a Barcelona goalkeeper in the 1990s.

Sergio Busquets-Barcelona's midfield heartbeat

Verdict The two veterans are neck and neck in term of statistics with Busquets having an edge overall. Matic has recently been prone to lapses in concentration and his slow laid back style is not complementing the fast counters instrumental to Solskjaer's style of play. Busquets as expected, dominates in the attack, with better scores in pass success %, assists, key passes and through balls.

Matic vs Busquets