FC Barcelona are likely to have more good news ahead of the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Manchester United with the return of winger Ousmane Dembele from injury.

Dembele suffered a hamstring injury on March 13th after scoring one of the goals which saw Barca past Olympique Lyon in the previous round and was ruled out for three to four weeks.

If everything goes to plan he should be available to at least form part of the Barca squad for Wednesday's game in Old Trafford, even if he has to be content with starting the game on the bench.

Dembele disappointed in his first season at the club after joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017, but this campaign has seen him improve drastically and his pace and goals have been vital in deciding several key matches this season.

The Frenchman's return would allow Barca coach Ernesto Valverde to possibly drop Philippe Coutinho, who has been very disappointing since the start of 2019, with his poor form leading many to think the club will consider selling the Brazilian over the summer.

Brazilian winger Malcom is also in contention for a place in the side in Old Trafford after recent impressive performances have helped win him Valverde's confidence, while Arturo Vidal could also start alongside Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic in the Barca midfield.

Vidal sat out Saturday's decisive match, but after the draining 2-0 win at home to Atletico Madrid which virtually assured Barca this season's Liga Santander title, fresh legs could be important against a Manchester United team which did not play in the Premier League this weekend and has had around a week to prepare for the tie. 

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