Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United coach, has no doubts that Barcelona will know how to solve the significant casualties with which they arrive at Old Trafford, without Pedri, Gavi, or Ousmane Dembelé: "Gavi and Pedri are great players and they are also very young "They contribute a lot to the way Barcelona play. At the same time, they have a great depth of squad and they can surely find replacements," said the Dutch coach.
Ten Hag also confirmed at a press conference the loss of Anthony Martial, who will not be ready this Thursday to face Barcelona. The French striker suffers a hip injury and, although he has already returned to training with the group, he is not yet ready to dress short.
"Martial will not be there. He is training, but he will not be able to play tomorrow," Ten Hag said at a press conference, so he will surely turn to Wout Weghorst again as the 'nine' of the team.
The Dutch coach stated that those who can have minutes are Harry Maguire and Antony, who have already recovered from their physical problems, although it is very unlikely that they will start this Thursday, the day United faces Barcelona with the 2-2 harvested in the first leg at the Camp Nou.
"We all want to play these big games, it's a dream that many of us had when we were little. We're only in February, but we're ready for these games," said the Dutchman, who will play his first final with United this weekend. when they face Newcastle United in the League Cup final.
"This is not about getting credit. It's about winning titles. We have to focus on the first game and then think about the final," added Ten Hag.
Raphael Varane, the Manchester United defender, also appeared before the match, stating that the "next step" in the evolution of the English team is "beating teams like Barcelona".
"We have grown a lot in the last month," Varane said at a press conference. "The change compared to last season is that we play with more confidence, we have more experience. The atmosphere tomorrow will be electric. We have to control our emotions, be calm. The next step is to beat teams like Barcelona, that's the challenge."
"The first game was very good, with a very good level. We were two attacking teams that pressed high on the field. It was a good result for us, but we could have scored more. We played with character. Tomorrow we know how we want to play, with patience, discipline and faith. We are ready for this challenge", added the French footballer.
Varane was asked about the loss of important players in the Barcelona structure such as midfielders Gavi and Pedri, who will not be at Old Trafford this Thursday.
"They are important players, but Barcelona has a very large squad. The philosophy and style of play does not change. There will be player changes, but the idea will be the same," said the Frenchman.
