Returning loanee, Casemiro ready and things spotted in Manchester United training ahead of Barcelona

Manchester United are gearing up to travel to Spain to take on Barcelona for the first leg of their Europa League play-off contest on Thursday.

A number of stars are doubts for the game including Antony, Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay. Meanwhile, Lisandro Martinez and January recruit Marcel Sabitzer are suspended for the tie.

Loanne Sabitzer arrived from Bayern Munich to fill the void left by Christian Eriksen, who is out with an ankle injury until April while Donny van de Beek’s season is over after having an operation on his knee. The United players who were available took to Carrington on Monday to hone their preparation.

READ MORE: Erik ten Hag names three personal targets

Youngsters join senior training

Academy hopefuls Charlie Wellens and Noam Emeran joined the first-team for training on Tuesday. Wellens had his four-month loan spell at Oldham Athletic cut short in December, a few weeks ahead of its January expiry.

The right-back first participated in senior training in 2019 aged 16, the same year winger Emran joined the club from French outfit Amiens. Neither are in United’s Europa League squad roster with fellow youngster Zidane Iqbal, who was also spotted, making the B-list.

Centre-backs look to impress

Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof put the yards in during the session with Raphael Varane also present after being n unused sub at Leeds on Sunday. The Frenchman is expected to start in the Nou Camp with the other centre back role up for grabs with Martinez - who trained - suspended.

Maguire had been used in the position prior to Martinez’s establishment in the starting XI while Luke Shaw could get the nod as he did at Elland Road.

Casemiro primed

Casemiro seemed in good spirits as he prepares for