Manchester United are set to take on Barcelona in their Europa league clash, but will have to face the Laliga league leaders without on loan midfielder Marcel Sabitzer.
UEFA has officially announced that Marcel Sabitzer will be absent from Manchester United’s crucial first-leg match against Barcelona in the Europa League.
Reports had circulated that the 28-year-old midfielder would miss the opening encounter in the knockout play-off, and now UEFA’s official website has confirmed the news. Sabitzer will join defender Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines, with both players having been penalized for accumulating yellow cards during the competition.
Sabitzer, who recently switched clubs from Bayern Munich, was originally banned from playing in the first leg of Bayern’s last 16 Champions League match against PSG due to picking up three yellow cards in the group stages.
This absence is a significant blow to Manchester United as Sabitzer boasts experience against Barcelona, having faced the Spanish giants twice in the Champions League group stages, including a 2-0 victory and a 3-0 win.
However, the Red Devils can take solace in the fact that Sabitzer will be available for the second leg, set to take place at Old Trafford.