The man who broke Newcastle United’s hearts the last time they played Barcelona in the Champions League may not feature from the start tomorrow, it seems.
Indeed, for all the talk of Pedri and Robert Lewandowski, it was a face slightly more familiar that inflicted misery on Eddie Howe as Marcus Rashford scored a brace for Barcelona against Newcastle United in the Champions League first phase.
Rashford, who has scored seven goals in 16 games against Newcastle, was brilliant on that night as Barca recorded a 2-1 victory.
Convince me otherwise: Eddie Howe gave me my greatest day as a Newcastle fan but he has taken us as far as he can
DISCLAIMER: It's not all his fault, chaos behind the scenes and PSR does not help 😡
Still, the England international hasn’t started any of their Champions League games since.
According to Lee Ryder of The Chronicle, Barcelona-based journalists are suggesting he’s unlikely to start on Tuesday.
On social media platform X, Ryder wrote: “Early suggestion from Barca journalists here in the Press room is that Marcus Rashford – who scored twice in the group stage – will not start vs #nufc.”
Rashford ‘unlikely to start vs Newcastle’ – so who replaces him?
Describing Lamine Yamal as a replacement would of course be unwise. The 18-year-old, after all, is already one of the greatest players in the world.
Still, the fact is that the main difference between the Barcelona team who played at St James’ Park in September and Tuesday night’s one looks like being Yamal in for Rashford.
Yamal missed that game with a groin injury, meaning Raphinha shunted over to the right-hand side of the attack and Rashford started on the left.
If you could voice one concern to Eddie Howe about Newcastle United right now, what would it be?
Yes, I know we won, but let's not pretend that was great 😂
With Yamal fit again, however, the Spanish international seems likely to operate out on the right with Raphinha on the left.
The other big change is that Frenkie De Jong, who played so well on Tyneside back in September, will not play due to a hamstring injury.
- READ MORE: Newcastle XI vs Barcelona – Predicted lineup and confirmed team news after Tino Livramento update
Whatever lineup Barcelona name will be a very difficult one for Newcastle United to beat.
This is perhaps the biggest game in the club’s history, and it will go some way into deciding how an often-rocky 2025/26 season is remembered.
Newcastle have had some iconic moments against Barcelona and perhaps Tuesday will bring the Geordie faithful another.
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