Barcelona's Busquets major doubt for Manchester United clash

Barcelona could be without Busquets for some time (NurPhoto)

EUROPA LEAGUE Barcelona's Busquets major doubt for Manchester United clash

Ayoola Kelechi 15:15 - 06.02.2023

Busquets was taken off after only two minutes in Barcelona's last match

Barcelona will be sweating over the fitness of their captain, Sergio Busquets, as their crucial Europa League Round of 32 match against Manchester United looms. 

Busquets injured against Sevilla

Busquets limped off after only two minutes of Barcelona’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Sevilla over the weekend, after attempting a tackle on Sevilla’s Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri in the opening minute of the match. 

The injury looked bad, forcing Busquets to retire from the match, and it remains uncertain if Busquets will recover in time to face Manchester United at Camp Nou in the Europa League encounter, which is just days away. 

The 34-year-old midfield maestro has been one of Barcelona’s better performers this season, rolling back the years to deliver performances that have the Blaugrana literally begging him to extend his contract, which expires at the end of the current season. 

Who replaces Busquets as Barcelona’s ‘6’?

Barcelona have struggled with the idea of replacing Busquets for a while now, with most direct replacements struggling to live up to the Spaniard’s quality within the context of the team, but they will now have to do it for a few games during a crucial point in their season. 

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Busquets’ injury means that there could be a chance for Manchester United fans to watch Frenkie De Jong, who they chased all summer long, play in the heart of midfield, where they hoped he would for their club. 

Barcelona hosts Manchester United in exactly 10 days. Looking to rescue their European season from the ashes of a UEFA Champions League group stage exit by going all the way and winning the Europa League, they will be hoping that Busquets’ absence does not dampen their plans too much. 

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