Manchester United welcome Lionel Messi and Barcelona to Old Trafford for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday night.

The Catalans are well on course to complete the domestic double having taken an 11-point lead in La Liga while they play Valencia in the Copa del Rey final. However, they’ll be enticed by the prospect of securing another treble.

Here, we analyse the key tactics Ernesto Valverde may employ to get the better of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Click here for United’s key tactics.

ARTHUR ON THE BALL

Barcelona are bound to dominate possession but how they utilise it will determine their success in Manchester. As such, Arthur will be pivotal to scripting what could be a vital away victory. United will try to close down the visitors aggressively as soon as they enter the final third but deeper in midfield, the Catalans should enjoy some time on the ball. It’s not just his vision and passing that makes Arthur dangerous but his outstanding ability to control the tempo of a game.

He’s capable of exchanging passes patiently in midfield before fizzing the ball into the feet of Lionel Messi or Luis Suarez. As things grow increasingly congested through the middle, he’s the one most adept at spreading play by spraying passes out to the advancing full-backs.

COUTINHO OVER MALCOM

With Ousmane Dembele not entirely fit for this encounter, Valverde may opt for Coutinho to start on the left of the front three ahead of Malcom. The former Liverpool star is accustomed to the English game but more importantly, would aid Barca’s attempts to dictate play in a congested midfield.

Coutinho can drop short to link up with his compatriot Arthur, – something he does more effectively than Malcom – giving the visitors a numerical advantage on that side of the midfield. His movement centrally could also draw Ashley Young infield, allowing the marauding Jordi Alba to have a free run down the outside.