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Barcelona set for huge injury boost ahead of Man Utd second leg as Xavi gives Pedri update

Barcelona set for huge injury boost ahead of Man Utd second leg as Xavi gives Pedri update

This would be a major boost for Barcelona.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

Barcelona have received a major injury boost on one of their key players ahead of the second leg of their Europa League play-off round tie with Manchester United.

The two teams drew 2-2 at Camp Nou in the first leg on Thursday, with Raphinha scoring a 76th-minute equaliser.

Xavi's side almost won the game when Casemiro miskicked a clearance onto his own post late on, but United also had a number of chances to secure victory themselves.

Barca did suffer a significant blow in the match, with star midfield orchestrator Pedri forced off injured in the first half.

Initial assessments, as per AS, are that the young Spaniard will miss a month of action due to a leg injury, which rules him out of the second leg.

Gavi, meanwhile, will also miss out at Old Trafford, having received a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards. He was booked on Thursday for fouling Fred.

However, Xavi has confirmed that another midfielder could be back in contention next week, in a timely boost for Les Cules.

Xavi reveals Sergio Busquets return

Barca veteran Sergio Busquets may return in time to take on United at Old Trafford next Thursday, Xavi revealed after the match.

He told reporters (via Barca Universal): "Busquets could return on Sunday. Dembele won't be back yet, and tomorrow we'll see the final tests on Pedri's injury.

"The next matches without Pedri? We have Gavi, Frenkie [De Jong], [Franck] Kessie, Pablo Torre, [Sergi] Roberto. We have alternatives that can add up, but Pedri is a spectacular player and his absence is one of the most important."

Busquets suffered a sprained ankle in the 3-0 win over Sevilla in La Liga on February 5, and had to be substituted. The problem ruled him out of the first leg against United. He also missed last weekend's fixture against Villarreal.

Barca take on Cadiz in La Liga on Sunday, and should the 34-year-old come through that game unscathed, he will surely be in contention to replace Pedri or Gavi in midfield for the crucial second leg against Erik ten Hag's side.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Manchester United, Barcelona, Premier League, Europa League, Xavi

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.