Lionel Messi suffered significant bruising following a challenge by Chris Smalling during last night’s Champions League quarter final first leg tie at Old Trafford.
The Manchester United defender caught Barcelona’s captain with a flailing arm which left the 31-year-old with a bloodied nose which required treatment.
Messi produced a rare indifferent performance, although he did play a crucial role in Luke Shaw’s own goal which separates the side’s ahead of next week’s return match, and his manager Ernesto Valverde revealed the 31-year-old will undergo tests ahead of Saturday’s Liga match against Huesca.
‘Messi wasn’t so comfortable after the blow,’ Valverde revealed after the match,’ said Valverde.
‘We have to examine him tomorrow to see how he is. He was strong, but he has quite a significant bruise.’
United fail to register a shot on target in a Champions League match for the first time since 2005 and Messi’s teammate Jordi Alba though his side controlled the match throughout. ‘
‘We were very good without creating as many chances as usual,’ said Alba.
‘But we had to ensure we were defensively solid and not leave our defence exposed against such a dangerous attack.
‘We had plenty of possession and we were effective with it, and no matter what way you look at it this is a very good result.
‘We know this is an opponent who can make the semi-finals and we know what happened last year, but we will face the return leg with confidence.’
