Man Utd fans panic as they realise they’ll be without Lisandro Martinez to face Lewandowski and Co at Barcelona

MANCHESTER UNITED fans have been left concerned ahead of their Europa League tie versus Barcelona with a key player suspended.

A vital member of the Red Devils starting XI picked up too many bookings in the group stages and he will miss the first leg in Spain.

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Robert Lewandowski will be delighted to see Man Utd are without a key centre-back in the first leg[/caption]

AP

Lisandro Martinez is banned for the first game between the two in February[/caption]

Lisandro Martinez was given a yellow card in the win over Real Sociedad and it was his third booking meaning he must serve a one-match ban.

With United set to come up against one of the world’s best strikers in Robert Lewandowski it is disastrous news sending supporters into a panic.

Erik ten Hag prefers the pairing of Martinez and Raphael Varane but the Frenchman has struggled with injuries since joining the Red Devils.

Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire may have to come in for the trip to the Nou Camp which is concerning some of the Man Utd faithful due to their questionable form.

One tweeted: “Clicked that Lisandro Martinez is not available for the first leg and it is surely Maguire-Lindelof pair and it’s gonna be scary. I CAN’T.”

Another said this alongside a crying emoji: “We’ve got Barcelona and no Lisandro Martinez for the first leg.”

One supporter went as far as saying United need a new centre-back in the transfer window: “United need a CB in January, after that draw vs Barcelona. I don’t trust Maguire or Lindelof.”

Others came up with different solutions: “Honestly put Casemiro at the back I can’t take the other two.”

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And another seemed to already admit defeat: “Lewandowski hat-trick is written in the stars.”

The nightmare draw comes after the Red Devils failed to top the group on goal difference finishing behind Real Sociedad in Group E.

Martinez has impressed since his move from Ajax in the summer but in the defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend he was accused of elbowing Leon Bailey with some thinking he was lucky to escape a red card.