UCL: How Manchester United plan to stop Messi and Barcelona - Solskjaer explains

Manchester United Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explains how his side will discomfit Messi and his team, Barcelona - ManchesterEveningNews

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned his United defence that they can't spend too much time worrying about the threat of Lionel Messi at Old Trafford.


Messi arrives in sensational form with 43 goals in 40 appearances this season and his recent efforts are beginning to resemble a goal of the season reel.

But to pour all of United's resources into stopping the 31-year-old would be a risk, according to Solskjaer , with the La Liga leaders possessing plenty of other match-winners in their ranks.

Luis Suarez has also begun to hit top form for Barcelona, while Solskjaer also name-checked Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic as dangermen.

"He's a fantastic player and he will go down in the history (of football) as one of the best individual players ever," Solskjaer said of Messi.

"He will be difficult to stop but it is never impossible. It's not like it's Messi against Man United - it's Suarez, Coutinho, Rakitic, Vidal.

"There's so many good players, we cannot just focus on one player. We know we have to play against 11 of them."

But Solskjaer and Chris Smalling , who looks set to be given the task of stopping Messi, believe United can take confidence from the fact they've already faced Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League this season.

The United boss is hoping the sight of Messi might even inspire his defence, who have had their fair share of critics this season.

"This season we've played against Juventus and Ronaldo , PSG with Mbappe," Solskjaer added.

"We've had Chelsea and Hazard, Neymar didn't play against us.

"I think the better an opponent... Suarez as well and Coutinho and Messi will keep our defenders on their toes, so let's see how we manage tomorrow."

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, said: "This season I've been lucky enough to face Ronaldo, Mbappe and they're all challenges that I think I definitely relish and I think players at this club relish.

"I say bring it on."