Barcelona dangerman Manchester United need to stop identified ahead of Europa League tie

Manchester United legend Denis Irwin says Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski will be the man to stop in both legs of the Reds' Europa League clash.

United travel to the Nou Camp on Thursday for the first leg before the return at Old Trafford seven days later. They will be without defender Lisandro Martinez and midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, both of who are suspended.

Luke Shaw could come in as the left sided centre back alongside Raphael Varane with Casemiro also available for selection despite his three-game Premier League ban. Whoever plays, United will need to deal with the in-form Lewandowski.

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The Poland international has scored 23 times in 27 games this season and Irwin says whoever is tasked with keeping him quiet will have their work cut out.

“There’s no doubt that the centre halves, whoever plays, are well aware of his capabilities,” Irwin told in-house media. He’s had a fantastic career. He was brilliant at Bayern Munich and it took him a long time to get the plaudits that he deserved. He’s doing it again at Barcelona and playing very well.

"He’s got great experience - he’s one of those players that it doesn't matter what age, he will always score goals. Our defenders, particularly the two centre halves, will have to be on their toes.

“But Barcelona as a whole are a great attacking team, they score plenty of goals. Whoever plays in that defence will have to play as a unit and make sure that we don’t concede too many chances.”

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