Manchester United are back in action on Wednesday night as they travel to face Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
United have progressed from one of their four previous European ties in which they lost the first leg at home, though it was in the last round against Paris Saint-Germain.
Nemanja Matic and Alexis Sanchez are in contention to feature in Catalonia having flown with the rest of the squad from Manchester Airport on Monday morning.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed both men are fully fit and ready to play after recent injury lay-offs.
"Yeah, fitness-wise they are available," said the Manchester United boss. "Of course for Alexis it is a big night. When he is on the pitch he wants to prove a point for us. Let’s hope he can be happy with his performance."
Stick with us for all the match build-up, early team news and transfer latest LIVE throughout the day.
Neville tells Solskjaer to rest players against City
Gary Neville has said that Manchester United should consider resting players for the Manchester derby against Man City to help them finish in the top four of the Premier League.
United have a hectic schedule on the horizon as they face four difficult games in just 11 days.
First up is Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Barcelona, which is followed by a trip to Everton and then two crucial matches at Old Trafford against City and Chelsea.
As United fight to finish in the qualification places for next season’s Champions League, Neville has argued that beating Chelsea is more important than beating City.
Read what Neville had to say here.
Dalot identifies preferred semi-final opponents
Diogo Dalot would rather face Porto than Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Champions League should they get past Barcelona tonight.
“I have dreamed about it!” Dalot told manutd.com. “I hope Porto can do a comeback too [2-0 down against Liverpool from the first leg] and it would be great if we were playing against them.”
Solskjaer asked about United signing Coutinho
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was asked about the possibility of making a summer move to sign Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho during his Nou Camp press conference ahead of United’s Champions League quarter-final second leg tie.
United have been linked with a move for Coutinho, who has struggled to make an impact at the Nou Camp since his move from Liverpool 15 months ago.
The Brazilian did start the first leg at Old Trafford as Barcelona secured a 1-0 advantage ahead of the return, and he is in line to start once again on Tuesday night.
But Solskjaer refused to discuss the 26-year-old when he was asked whether United would try and bring him back to the Premier League this summer.
Asked whether United have any interest in the player by a Brazilian journalist, Solskjaer considered his response before saying:
“He’s a Barcelona player. He’s a Barcelona player.”
Belief is key - Dalot
Diogo Dalot has talked up the importance of United believing in themselves ahead of tonight’s game.
“I think it (belief) will be 90 per cent of the game. As long as we keep belief in ourselves in the game, I think we should do the rest, play the game and be ready for 90 minutes and injury time. We then just need to focus on ourselves and believe until the end,” Dalot told manutd.com.
“Yes, of course [we believe in ourselves]. We’ve proved to everyone that no one at this club gives up and we still have the Paris night in our minds. We need to keep that in our minds just in terms of belief and fighting for the result. It’s different games and different teams but we need to keep that in mind to motivate and to be ready.“
It's game day
It’s time to show us what you’re all about, Paul.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwTxQONoLQs/
Beckham, Cantona and Pogba react to Notre-Dame cathedral fire
Yesterday was a horrendous day for the city of Paris.
Barca's lead is dangerous - Ter Stegen
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has told his teammates they must be wary tonight as they go into the game against United with a narrow one-goal advantage.
“The good thing is that we play differently to PSG but they are really dangerous,” Ter Stegen said.
“They are very quick. You always have to be alert. They know how to play in a very calm way. They made things really hard for us (in the first leg).
“The result we got in Manchester is dangerous because it’s a very small advantage, it’s not enough to defend. We need to step forward and create risky situations. We have to keep the ball and create good chances and score.”
Anything can happen if United score first - Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho has said United will have a chance of ousting Barcelona tonight if they score the game’s first goal.
“The truth is that Barcelona should have finished the game in Manchester - but at just 1-0 Manchester United will still believe that are in this tie,” the Brazilian said.
“With the way that Barcelona have been playing and the amount of goals they have been scoring, I do expect them to progress.
“I see them even winning comfortably in Barcelona. It will all be on the first goal.
“If Barcelona score it then it will be a long evening for Manchester United.
“But if they (United) can score the first goal then it’s going to make the stadium nervous - and you never know what can happen then.”
Phelan's ready
Champions League nights like these are made for United.
Neville explains why United's slump pleases him
Gary Neville has suggested United’s recent slump pleases him because it has hammered home how much work Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad needs doing to it.
“It has been a big struggle since the PSG game. In some ways I’m happy,” Neville told Sky Sports. “If United had carried on in the way that they had, it would have fooled everyone into thinking that this squad is better than it is.
“I always thought the end of March, early April was the right time to announce it (the new manager) if it was going to be Ole. If you are going to do your work you have to do it early.
“If the players are susceptible to him getting the job and them dipping a bit, then I think he needed to know that now.
“I’m actually not unhappy that Ole is finding out more about his players in the last month than he did in the first six to eight weeks when everything was just golden.
“It was unbelievable. The PSG game was one of the best nights I’ve ever had as a Manchester United fan. It was crazy and mad but felt so United.
“Then all of a sudden in the last month or so the reality has kicked in and they have started to show vulnerabilities.
“It has just sobered everyone up a bit and reminds everyone that there is a job to do here.”
Barcelona confirm matchday squad
Barcelona have confirmed the identities of the 18 players that will be in their matchday squad tonight.
Goalkeepers: Ter Stegen, Cillessen
Defenders: Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Roberto, Umtiti
Midfielders: Rakitic, Sergio, Coutinho, Arthur, Vidal, Alena
Forwards: Suarez, Messi, O. Dembele, Malcom
United 'interested in David Neres'
United are keen on signing the Ajax forward David Neres, according to reports.
It is claimed by The Sun that United are ready to do battle with Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea for the 22-year-old Brazilian.
Neres has scored 12 goals and notched 15 assists in all competitions for Ajax this season.
Solskjaer sends message to five players before Barcelona game
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Manchester United need ‘big performances’ from their starting forwards against Barcelona.
Phelan's in the mood
Mike Phelan is looking forward to the return to Champions League action.
The latest build-up
Welcome
Hello, and welcome to today’s United blog. Stick with us for all the match build-up ahead of facing Barcelona tomorrow.
