FC Barcelona and Manchester United are arguably two of the strongest sides in European football at this moment in regards to recent form. On Thursday, both these sides are scheduled to clash in a European setting within the UEFA Europa League. However, there may just be some unfortunate news emerging for fans of the English side.
Austrian midfielder Marcel Sabitzer is set to miss the first leg in which his side, Manchester United, take on FC Barcelona in the Round of 32 for the UEFA Europa League.
The Austrian has just recently touched down in England following his deadline-day loan move from German giants Bayern Munich to resurging English side Manchester United. In his first 3 games for the Red Devils, the player has showcased himself to be a real asset to Erik Ten Hag and the player exudes quality.
Yet, as most interested in this upcoming Europa League match in whatever context have just found out, Marcel Sabitzer will be suspended for the first leg of this crucial fixture against Xavi Hernandez’s Catalan side. The player’s current suspension is present due to him already having accumulated too many bookings already this season in the UEFA Champions League while playing for parent club Bayern Munich.
According to UEFA Rule 52.03, the suspensions from any particular UEFA competition indefinitely carry on to any other competition played by the player under the European institute’s jurisdiction. Thus, the accumulated bookings from UEFA’s Champions League tournament will transition towards Sabitzer’s current voyage across the Europa League as well.
Given United’s recent piling up of injuries and player suspensions such as Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay, they are left rather thin in terms of depth in midfield as they approach FC Barcelona despite hoping to get a solid result against the La Liga leaders in this first leg at the Spotify Camp Nou.
