Erik ten Hag gives verdict on Barcelona missing Gavi and Pedri for Man Utd clash
The two European giants meet in their second leg clash at Old Trafford on Thursday after last week’s 2-2 thriller at the Camp Nou, with the winner set to progress to the last 16 of the Europa League.
Xavi will be without two of his most important players however with his young Spain internationals both unavailable.
Pedri was forced off in the 40th minute last week after pulling up with a thigh injury that is expected to sideline him for three weeks.
Gavi meanwhile is suspended after he was shown a yellow card in the second-half for hauling back Fred who was threatening to burst away on the counter attack.
It was the 18-year-old’s third booking in European competition this season having been shown yellows in Champions League group games against Inter Milan and Viktoria Plzen, earning him a one-match suspension.
While ten Hag admits both Pedri and Gavi are ‘great players,’ be believes the visitors have solutions in their squad fill the void.
‘Gavi and Pedri are big, great players even though are very young,’ ten Hag told a press conference on Thursday.
‘They had a positive effect but also their squad has so much depth in it.
‘They have players who can replace them and tomorrow will be a very good team. If we want to win we have to be at our best’.
Xavi was handed a boost over the weekend as veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets returned to the squad on Sunday for the 2-0 win over Cadiz following a recent ankle injury.
While he remained on the bench, the 34-year-old is expected to travel to Manchester.
Sergi Roberto came onto replace the injured Pedri in Barcelona last week with Franck Kessie and Frenkie de Jong also starting in midfield.
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