Injured Schweinsteiger To Miss Utd Clash With Barca

Manchester United’s new signing Bastian Schweinsteiger will not play against Barcelona in Saturday’s pre-season friendly, but goalkeeper David de Gea is expected to return to the lineup.

Ecuadorean, Antonio Valencia, who has also missed the club’s first two matches in the United States is also expected to play a role in the clash with the reigning La Liga champions at the Levi’s stadium

Spanish goalkeeper De Gea missed all two of the Red Devils’ win so far in their Tour US through injury- a 1-0 win over Club America and a 3-1 success against San Jose Earthquakes.

Manager Louis van Gaal said: “When a player is injured, it is the same thing what happens in the season. Then you have to wait and you have seen it because in England it is more usual players are coming in after injuries, but I give them time to recover and build up their fitness.”

David de Gea Will Return to United's Starting XI against Barca. Image: AFP.
David de Gea Will Return to United’s Starting XI against Barca. Image: AFP.

Speaking at his pre-match conference on Friday, the Dutch tactician confirmed that he won’t be fielding two different XI’s in either halves on Saturday just like he did in the previous two matches.

“I cannot do that because, for example, Schweinsteiger cannot play because he had a little injury. So maybe I have Schweinsteiger in my head in the line-up but I cannot do that, but I will play the line-up I think could play against Tottenham,” he said.

Angel Di Maria, Marcos Rojo and Javier Hernandez will join the squad on Saturday after an extended period of holiday, following their involvement in the Copa America and Gold Cup.