Manchester United told why Marcel Sabitzer will be perfect for Barcelona second-leg and Carabao Cup final

Paul Parker believes Marcel Sabitzer's big-game mentality makes him a perfect fit for Manchester United's huge upcoming fixtures.

Erik ten Hag's side continue a potentially season-defining month with a trip to the Camp Nou and the first leg of their Europa League play-off against Barcelona, after the Spanish giants dropped out of the Champions League at the group stages. Both legs of that tie will be played in the next week followed by the Carabao Cup final on February 26 and a first chance at silverware.

Having arrived in M16 late on deadline-day, Sabitzer was handed 10 minutes off the bench against Crystal Palace before starting both home and away to Leeds United last week. Having picked up a one-game suspension in RB Leipzig's final Champions League group game, the midfielder will be unavailable for Thursday evening, but former United defender Parker believes the Austrian is built for the biggest occasions to follow.

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“I like his energy on the pitch," Parker told wettbasis. "But the Premier League is completely different compared to the Bundesliga so he will have to get used to people getting on his nerves, provoking him and so on. But I think he is a tough cookie, so he will be able to deal with that.

“I'm excited to see him against some of the best teams in the league. Actually, I think he is that type of guy that improves against a top-class opponent. He looks like he has the mentality to perform in the big games.”

With Sabitzer suspended for Thursday's first leg, the return of another big-game player in Casemiro will be welcome relief for Erik ten Hag, who is still without Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen in the middle of the park. Lisandro Martinez