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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Charlotte Duncker

The Manchester United player key to beating Barcelona in Champions League quarter-final

How are Manchester United going to stop Lionel Messi?

It's arguably been the most asked question in the build-up to the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against the La Liga giants on Wednesday night.

Many have spoken of the Argentine forward's impeccable form and how Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling will be having sleepless nights on how to deal with one of the best players in the world.

And while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is right to be extremely wary of the 31-year-old, United should be cautious of tweaking their game plan too much to cope with Messi's threat and instead concentrate on how they're going to break down the Spanish champions.

While United's centre backs will have to be on their top game for United to go through it could be Jesse Lingard who is key to United's success.

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Solskjaer has given Lingard a new role in big games playing him as a false 9 and it was used to great affect for the first time in the 1-0 win against Spurs at Wembley in January.

The 26-year-old pressed the Spurs midfield and used his vision and pace to supplement United's attack. The result of using Lingard slightly behind Martial and Rashford in that game was that it nullified Mauricio Pochettino's attacking flow.

And he can do the same on Wednesday.

The England international is able to draw out the defenders, giving United's attackers space to run in behind and the pace of Martial and Rashford will cause problems to Ernersto Valverde's side.

Departing from the 4-3-3 Solskjaer has favoured playing and deploying Lingard behind United's two attackers will give United their best chance to beat the La Liga giants.

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"It’s a different role – it’s like a false nine I would say. It’s an enjoyable role as you’re free most times," Lingard said about his new role in February.

"You can hit teams on the counter-attack fast and you always have a player either side of you so it’s perfect for me. You’re closer to the goal, you’re going to get more opportunities to score and help the team."

United's counter attacking style has been key to Solskjaer's early success and a style the Norwegian needs to stick with against the La Liga champions.

In addition to helping United create space and chances in behind the Barcelona defence the key to winning will be disrupting Barcelona's midfield and Lingard is the right man for the job.

Sergio Busquets is instrumental in the middle for the La Liga giants but a harried Lingard could soon upset the balance and rhythm of Barcelona's passing.

Deployed in the right way the England international could be the key to another remarkable European night at Old Trafford.

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