Owen forecasts grim prospect for MU against Barca

Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen has provided a bleak outlook for Manchester United in the Champions League tie with Barcelona.

Owen still remembers the last meeting between the two sides when he watched from the bench as Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta ran the game against Sir Alex’s Ferguson’s side in the 2011 Champions League final. This time around he felt the game would be more open.

“This is the first Champions League meeting between the sides since Barcelona’s famous 3-1 win in the 2011 final– a game I watched in awe from the United bench as an unused Wembley substitute,” he told BetVictor.

“United have already lost at home to Juventus and PSG in the Champions League this season and I feel the Spanish giants will edge what promises to be a cracking game with opportunities at both ends.”

Former Arsenal forward Charlie Nicholas had a more damning assessment of the club’s current situation after a defeat in the Premier League to Wolves last week.

“Man Utd are on the edge of nothing. There are question marks about whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the right man - he is now that he has got the contract,” he told Sky Sports.

“Are they going to get rid of these players? There is a bit of a negative feel about the place again. Barcelona can go at them and Luke Shaw will have to get tight to Lionel Messi.”

The biggest problem will be to contain the attacking force of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez who have both scored quite freely.

“It is a big decision for Solskjaer as they like to attack. Luis Suarez will want to do well back at Old Trafford and Messi is the best ever in my opinion. Philippe Coutinho may be in, and then Arturo Vidal, Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets are the feeders for Messi and Suarez.

He chose Marcus Rashford as the player who could make the difference.

“Marcus Rashford is key for Man Utd with his pace and movement. Man Utd will be ready and if you give them too much respect they will beat you.”