Sergio Busquets returned to the Barcelona squad on Sunday night ahead of the huge showdown with this week.
The club legend suffered an ankle injury in a league meeting against Sevilla at the start of February, missing his side’s last three games as a result including
Xavi faces a major midfield headache ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford this week with young stars Pedri and Gavi ruled out through injury and suspension respectively.
But the Barcelona boss will have his veteran midfielder available with Busquets named among the subs on Sunday night against Cadiz.
With the La Liga leaders easing to a 2-0 win thanks to first-half goals from Sergi Roberto and Robert Lewandowski, Xavi resisted the urge to bring the 34-year-old on, keeping him reserve with the midweek trip to Manchester in mind.
‘Busquets was ready today, but I preferred not to play him. He will be ready to start against Manchester United,’ Xavi said post-match.
Xavi made six changes to his side on Sunday with Marcos Alonso, Jordi Alba, Franck Kessie and Raphinha rested with Araujo suspended and Pedri sidelined.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jules Kounde, Frenkie de Jong, Lewandowski and Gavi retained their places in the weekend win.
Ousmane Dembele was not part of the squad as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury with the France international not expected to return in time for Thursday.
Pedri meanwhile is set for three to four weeks on the sidelines as a result of the injury suffered last week, forced off after 40 minutes of action.
Gavi meanwhile will be suspended after picking up a yellow card for a foul on Fred in the second-half, hauling back the Brazilian as he broke away on the counter.
It was the 18-year-old’s third booking in European competition this season having been shown yellows in Champions League group games against Inter Milan and Viktoria Plzen, earning him a one-match suspension.
United head into the second leg fresh from a 3-0 victory over Leicester City in the Premier League with Marcus Rashford scoring twice as he continued his incredible run of form.
The winner of Thursday’s second leg will earn a place in the last 16 of the Europa League.
, .
, and .
