Marcel Sabitzer has joined Lisandro Martinez in being suspended for Manchester United’s anticipated clash with Barcelona.

The Austrian midfielder, who recently joined the Red Devils on loan until the end of the campaign, was yellow-carded three times while playing for parent club Bayern Munich earlier this season.

As outlined by UEFA rule 52.03, Sabitzer is banned from facing Barcelona in the first leg but can play when the two European heavyweights meet again at Old Trafford a week later on the 23rd. That’s the same predicament that Martinez finds himself in, giving Ten Hag two selection headaches ahead of the game

Marcel Sabitzer will be suspended for #mufc vs Barcelona on Thursday in the first leg of Europa League play-off.

— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) February 13, 2023

The Red Devils will visit Camp Nou on Thursday for the first leg of their hotly-anticipated Europa League play-off tie, as Erik ten Hag and Xavi Hernandez’s sides square off for a place in the last 16. While Xavi will be without midfield linchpin Sergio Busquets and electric winger Ousmane Dembele, Ten Hag has also learned that he’ll be missing a key duo of his own.

It’s long been known that Argentine defender Martinez won’t feature in Spain after picking up three yellow cards in the group stage. His third booking – one which many fans and pundits believe was a soft decision – came during United’s 1-0 win away to Real Sociedad, a result which wasn’t enough to see them finish top of their group and ensure automatic qualification to the round of 16.