'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester United will take on Barcelona at Old Trafford for the Champions League quarter-final first leg clash. The second leg will take place at the Catalan giants' own fortress Camp Nou. The two contests promise to be perfect dream matches for the audience as both teams have built an impressive aura about themselves.
The Red Devils scripted one of the most memorable comebacks against their previous Champions League opponents, PSG. The team undoubtedly earned a spot in the quarterfinals against the Spanish champions after recovering from a two-goal deficit.
Their newly installed boss Ole Gun Solksjaer seems to be having quite a fortune in leading them. Since taking over from Jose Mourinho in December, the Red Devils' boss successfully led them to the last eight of the Champions League as well as returning into the top-four battle in the EPL.
Talking about Barcelona, the team looks to be in the greatest of form. After their recent win over Atletico Madrid, they firmly secure the no.1 spot in La Liga with 73 points, leading the Red and the Whites by 11 points.
Although the Red Devils look like a sturdy side, there is the possibility of them struggling against Barcelona and here are the three reasons why they might find it hard to survive against the Catalan giants:
#3 The Messi factor
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Messi alone is a big threat for Manchester United. The Red Devils would be aware of the fact that this one player should not get enough room to score freely. A ball anywhere near the goalpost with Messi will be doomed to be scored.
In Barcelona's previous encounter against Atletico, The Argentine turned the game away along with Suarez. With that match, Messi bagged his 43rd goal in just 40 games. The playmaker in Messi is also constantly developing this season.
Barcelona has not made it past the quarterfinals stage since 2015 but the Messi factor might turn the fortunes for them this time around. Messi's current form and the team's La Liga performances this season is a positive sign for the Catalan Giants.
#2 The defense of Manchester United might cause them to suffer
As of this writing, Manchester United find themselves at the sixth spot in the Premier League points table. Their other league opponents, notably Wolves, exposed their defensive vulnerability right after their solid win against PSG.
Defense is one of the areas where a team needs to be topnotch. Even without good strikers, a team can survive if they have a strong defense. Manchester United lack proper defenders to compliment the talented strikers of the side.
Against Lionel Messi-led Barcelona attack, the team really should focus more on their defense. Apart from being the best goalscorer, Messi had evolved into a brilliant playmaker this season, assisting 12 league goals.
It should be a priority for players like Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw to bring their A game against the Argentine. However, singling him out might open room for other strikers as Barca have a literally unstoppable attack.
#1 Manchester United's dismal form in recent weeks
Since their win against PSG, the team has lost three out of four games they played. They lost the games in an unimpressive manner. Getting knocked out by the Wolves in a shocker at FA Cup and losing to them in the subsequent Premier League clash doesn't look positive.
They lost against Arsenal in one of those games without even getting a goal. Their only victory in three games came against Watford. However, the victory against the underdogs came with a result of 2-1.
Manchester United are by no means a weak side. They have a good bounce-back ability as witnessed in the recent clash against PSG. However, they have to answer a much stronger and dominant Barcelona.
If they had no answer for a comparatively fragile Wolves and a much stronger Arsenal, then it seems like they may not have it against the La Liga table-toppers. This is a reason why they need to be prepared for the worse.
