Barcelona missing three key players for Manchester United clash

Barcelona boss Xavi has named his 20-man squad for Thursday's Europa League contest against Manchester United, with Ousmane Dembele, Pedri and Gavi notable absentees.

Dembele remains on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, and it is unlikely that the France international will be available for selection until the middle of next month.

Pedri, meanwhile, picked up a hamstring issue in the first leg of the knockout round playoff with Man United last week, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou.

Gavi is also missing for the Catalan giants through suspension, but Sergio Busquets was back in the squad against Cadiz on Sunday after recovering from an ankle injury.

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Busquets is now in line to make his return at Old Trafford, while the absences of Pedri and Gavi have opened the door for Marc Casado to make the trip to Manchester.

Barcelona's squad is also boosted by the return of Ronald Araujo, who was not involved against Cadiz on Sunday evening due to a La Liga suspension.

Xavi has big decisions to make when it comes to his starting side for this match, with Marcos Alonso featuring as a central defender in the first leg last week.

Franck Kessie is again expected to join Frenkie de Jong in central midfield, with Busquets also potentially coming into the side depending on his fitness.

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Sergi Roberto is an option alongside Kessie and De Jong should Busquets start on the bench, while Ansu Fati could come in for a start alongside Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha in the final third of the field.

Against Cadiz on Sunday, which ended in a 2-0 victory for the La Liga leaders, Eric Garcia and Alejandro Balde were handed starts at the back, while Ferran Torres featured in the final third of the field.

However, Kessie, Jordi Alba and Alonso could return to the side at Old Trafford.

Lewandowski is comfortably Barcelona's leading goalscorer this season with 24 in all competitions, while Dembele is second on eight, with Raphinha and Pedri joint-third with seven each.

Barcelona squad vs. Man United:

Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas; Araujo, Christensen, Alonso, Alba, Kounde, E Garcia, Balde; Busquets, Kessie, Roberto, F de Jong, Torre, Casado; Lewandowski, Fati, F Torres, Raphinha