BARCELONA last night rested an entire first-choice forward line for their La Liga fixture against Deportivo La Coruña in anticipation of the trip to Old Trafford for Tuesday night’s second leg of the Champions League semi-final. Samuel Eto’o, the Cameroon centre-forward, and Argentina winger Lionel Messi both stayed at home in Barcelona as a weakened squad set off for just about the most distant away ground on the Spanish first division calendar for the Catalans.

Andres Iniesta, who started on the left of Barça’s three-man attack against United in midweek, also remained behind, serving a suspension, as did the centre-half Gabriel Milito. Xavi, the midfielder, was also rested as head coach Frank Rijkaard seemed to acknowledge with his choices the idea of a challenge to Real Madrid for the domestic title had faded to such a point that nothing should be risked at the expense of regaining the European Cup that Barcelona seized two years ago. Rijkaard insisted the imminent date in England had “nothing to do with my selections this weekend” but the mathematics surrounding the domestic race have become unarguable. Barcelona trailed Madrid by 11 points yesterday morning and remained off the pace even for an automatic berth for next season’s Champions League group phase. Villarreal, who play today, held second place, a point ahead of Barcelona.

Fatigue has affected Barça’s league form. Eto’o is not one who seeks periods out of action but he has had an arduous season, with injury during the autumn and a trip to the African Cup of Nations where his country reached the final. Messi, meanwhile, has become a source of concern because of his tendency to inflame thigh problems in the periods after he returns from long-term absence. “People seem to think Messi is already in shape to play 90 minutes and unfortunately that’s not the case,” said Rijkaard. “He has recently suffered two serious injuries and we have to be careful and protect him.

“In these cases you always have to speak to the players. I have not come across a player as committed as Xavi but if he says to me he’s feeling strain, it would be entirely normal to give him a rest. He deserves it, and he will come back stronger.”