Official: Barcelona confirm ankle injury to midfielder, set to miss Manchester United match | OneFootball

After Sergio Busquets was taken off with an injury very early in the game against Sevilla last night, Barcelona have confirmed that the 34-year-old has sustained a sprain in his ankle ligament.

The veteran midfielder lasted just four minutes in the Sevilla encounter as he had to be taken off after a clash with Youssef En-Nesyri led to an injury that he was unable to shake off.

Issuing an official statement on the nature of Busquets’ injury, Barcelona said: “Tests carried out this morning have shown that Sergio Busquets has sprained the external lateral ligament of his left ankle. He is low and his evolution will mark his availability.”

It had been claimed that the former Spanish international could be out for 15 days.

Following the update on his injury, journalist David Ibanez is reporting that Busquets could be sidelined for a period of two to three weeks and is considered to be practically ruled out of the match against Manchester United.

Barcelona lock horns with the Premier League giants in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League playoffs on February 16 at Spotify Camp Nou.

And, given the prognosis of Busquets’ injury, the club captain is unlikely to recover in time for the big game against Manchester United. Before that, he will also miss the important La Liga encounter versus Villarreal away at Estadio de la Ceramica.

Busquets becomes the second casualty in recent games for Barcelona, who also lost Ousmane Dembele to an injury during the game against Girona a couple of weeks back.

The Frenchman is also ruled out of the first-leg game against Manchester United and might be unable to return in time for the second leg either.