Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has returned to
training ahead of a Champions League tie against Barcelona today, but Eric
Bailly, Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic have all been absent.
The Red Devils
host the Spanish champions at Old Trafford in the first leg of their Champions
League last eight clash in Europe.
Rashford was
forced to miss United’s last outing against Wolves in the Premier League with
an ankle injury and it is understood he has trained alone during a morning
session at the Aon Complex.
The 21-year-old joined the senior squad towards the end of the session though,
and he is expected to play a part in the match against Barca.
Meanwhile,
Bailly, Herrera and Matic were all absent as Solskjaer oversaw final
preparations with his squad on Tuesday.
United have
suffered an injury crisis over the last couple of months, which has coincided
with a downturn in results on the pitch ahead of the Champions League tie.
Solskjaer’s men
have lost three of their last four matches across all competitions and now face
a real battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Bailly suffered
a head injury while on international duty with Ivory Coast last month, while
Herrera was ruled as unfit before the defeat to Wolves in the Premier League
last week.
Matic was named
on the bench at Molineux, but he has only just returned to the fold after
missing Serbia’s two fixtures during the international break.
The Red Devils
are underdogs against Barcelona given their recent form, but a thrilling
comeback victory in the Champions League Round of 16 over Paris Saint Germain
will give supporters cause for optimism.
Before the
second leg takes place at the Camp Nou next week, United must negotiate a home
game against West Ham in the league.
Solskjaer will
be desperate for a win in this Champions League fixture in order to halt his
side’s current slide, with three points currently separating them and
fourth-placed Tottenham in the table with eight matches of the campaign
remaining.
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