Barcelona manager Xavi is planning to use defender Ronald Araújo as the ‘antidote’ to Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford when the two sides meet in the Europa League on Thursday.
That’s according to AS, who say Araújo will be handed the responsibility of marking Manchester United’s ‘most dangerous striker’ in the hope of keeping him quiet.
Rashford has been in superb form for United this season, particularly after the World Cup, scoring 21 goals and registering eight assists in 34 games in all competitions.
He continued his fine scoring form over the weekend, bagging the opener in the 2-0 win over Leeds United to take him to eight goals in his last nine Premier League games.
It’s made him the man of the moment for Manchester United and he will be hoping to continue that form this week when United take on Barcelona in the Europa League but Xavi has a plan to stop that happening.
The plan, according to AS, will not necessarily see Araújo moved to wherever Rashford is on the pitch but rather tasked with keeping him out of the game wherever possible.
The priority is that he does not ‘receive balls into space’ as Barcelona believe that is his main strength and where he generates the most danger. To help with this, Raphinha will be tasked with keeping Luke Shaw from his regular ‘incursions’ down the left wing.
The role is one Araújo is accustomed to, having also been tasked with keeping track of Real Madrid’s Vinicius in their recent clashes.
That is a job he has done well in recent meetings between the two sides and the Brazilian is ‘yet to escape unscathed’ from the ‘onslaught’ of the defender.
Now Rashford is his ‘next target’ and if the Uruguayan manages to deactivate the Manchester United, it is Barcelona’s belief that United will lose a major part of their attacking threat.
