Manchester United could see the present and the future in Casemiro and Frenkie de Jong

How will the back four cope?

The relocation of Luke Shaw and recall of Tyrell Malacia at Leeds indicated both will start at Camp Nou. Erik ten Hag swears by a right-footed and left-footed central defensive partnership and Shaw has fared favourably on the four occasions he has moved inside this season.

Yet he is likely to encounter the most prolific No.9 on the planet in Robert Lewandowski. Shaw should at least have the benefit of Raphael Varane alongside him. Varane has played against Lewandowski when he was at Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, as well as at the World Cup in December.

Casemiro's biggest test?

Casemiro has been one of the outstanding midfielders in the Premier League this season and is a veteran of 19 Clásicos. In Pedri and Gavi, Barcelona have heirs to Andres Iniesta and Xavi, while Frenkie de Jong was identified by Ten Hag as United's ideal linchpin until the funds set aside for his signing were spent on Casemiro.

Also read: How United should line up vs Barcelona in Europa League fixture

No United fan is lamenting De Jong's wage deferral that led to them moving for Casemiro. United discovered how pivotal Casemiro is in the defeat at Arsenal and draw with Leeds. His duel with De Jong is a fascinating sub-plot this evening, especially as Ten Hag has not closed the door on a second pursuit of De Jong.

Weghorst or Rashford?

This time last year, Marcus Rashford was on the bench for United and Anthony Elanga was starting ahead of him. Rashford is one of the first names on the teamsheet again and he is one goal shy of equalling his season-best tally of 22 in 2019-20.

Wout Weghorst claimed an assist and was denied a goal by an errant Video Assistant Referee at Leeds but it was another weak