Marcel Sabitzer will not feature for Manchester United against Barcelona in their Europa League play-off first-leg tie, following confirmation of a suspension from UEFA.
Manchester United midfielder Marcel Sabitzer has been confirmed as unavailable for the Red Devils’ first-leg Europa League tie against Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou.
The Austrian joined United on loan on the final day of the January transfer window as a replacement for Christian Eriksen, who is out with an ankle injury for at least another two months.
Sabitzer has now made three appearances for Erik ten Hag’s side, completing his first 90 minutes in the 2-0 win over Leeds United on Sunday.
Marcel Sabitzer vs. Leeds [match rank]:
100% tackles won [🥇]13/13 final third passes [🥇]2 interceptions [🥇]
The engine in midfield. 🚂 pic.twitter.com/jOkfOyckhU
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 12, 2023
This news will come as a hammer blow to ten Hag. The Dutchman confirmed on Friday that Scott McTominay is unlikely to be fit in time for the fixture, with long-term midfield absentees Donny van de Beek and Eriksen also out.
Lisandro Martinez will also miss out through suspension, as the Argentine picked up his third yellow card in the final group stage match.
Forwards Antony, and Anthony Martial are also likely to miss out, confirmed by ten Hag in his press conference on Friday.
Why Is Sabitzer Suspended?
Sabitzer picked up three yellow cards for Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League group stage, with the third coming in the final group stage game. This had ruled him out of Bayern’s round-of-16 tie against PSG, but will now carry over into the Europa League.
UEFA rule 52.03 states that yellow card suspensions are carried over from one competition to another, confirming the 28-year-old’s ineligibility for the first-leg.
The Austrian international will become available for United in the second leg at Old Trafford.
Before confirmation of the suspension, reports suggested that Sabitzer would’ve played alongside Casemiro for the first time.
Casemiro himself has been serving a three-match suspension in the league, but luckily for ten Hag FA suspensions do not carry over into Europe.
According to Europa League betting sites, Barcelona are the favourites for the first-leg, priced at around 3/4 to win, with United priced at around 10/3 to be victorious.
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