Barcelona ace Pedri makes Manchester United admission ahead of Europa League clash

Barcelona midfielder Pedri has admitted that he will find it difficult to take up a watching brief when the Spanish club faces Manchester United in the second leg of their Europa League tussle at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.

The highly-rated youngster, who made four appearances for Spain at the World Cup in Qatar, was forced off during the first half of last Thursday's 2-2 draw between the two sides at Camp Nou with an injury. Barcelona have since confirmed that he has suffered a muscular injury to his right leg.

Pedri has been a shining light for Barcelona this season, making 30 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals in the process. He has been a mostly permanent fixture in the centre of midfield, meaning he will be sorely missed at Old Trafford, especially as Barcelona will be without fellow midfielder Gavi through suspension.

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And such is the size of Thursday evening's winner-takes-all clash in M16, Pedri has confessed that it is the type of game he would have loved to have featured in.

"It was a hard blow because I was doing very well, but it's about recovering and helping the team and my teammates again," Pedri told AS. "I have a much worse time from the outside, I prefer to be on the field, but I have full confidence in the team.

"We really want to play this type of game, in a field that motivates and excites like Old Trafford."

Though Barcelona will be without both Gavi and Pedri for their first trip to Old Trafford since April 2019, they have been boosted by the return of fellow midfielder Sergio Busquets. He missed last week's first leg because of an ankle problem but made his return to the matchday squad as he watched the win