Barcelona Must Rely on Youth to Replace Departing UEFA Super Cup Hero Pedro

Pedro, Pedro, Pedro. It had to be Pedro. Ending a helter-skelter, wild roller coaster of game, Pedro Rodriguez was the man who appeared two yards from goal to ram the ball home and win Barcelona the UEFA Super Cup.

It was Pedro's night from the word go, with sporting director Robert Fernandez declaring before the game that the Canary Islander had told him he wanted to leave, per Sport.

Then came Luis Enrique's team selection with Pedro, who was touted to start, left on the bench, perhaps because of this transfer request.

The match itself went by in a blur, with goals flying in from all angles, as Sevilla came from 4-1 down to force extra time.

Ivan Sekretarev/Associated Press

That's when Pedro was brought on and as we seemed to be heading to penalties, he cropped up in the right place at the right time and kept Barcelona's bid for the sextuple alive.

Of course, that's a bid which Pedro is unlikely to be able to help as it progresses, given he should soon be off to join Manchester United.

The player spoke after the game, per Pete Jenson of the Daily Mail, who says his move to Old Trafford is drawing closer. Pedro explained:

"

It's a difficult situation for me. I don't want to go but it's a question of playing time, of continuity in the team, it's been this way for a few years now.

Of course I wanted to play [the final]. Robert should not have said what he said. I have barely exchanged words. He doesn't know what I'm going through.

And this is not about money. It's a lack of respect towards me to say that it is. It's about me playing. I'm ambitious. I don't know what will happen but if I go I will always be a Barca fan.

"

If and when Pedro does leave, it leaves Barcelona rather short of options, beyond their star attacking trident of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

They will start virtually every game the club plays, barring injury or suspension. But as exemplified by Neymar getting the mumps before the UEFA and Spanish Super Cups, that could happen at any time.

Pedro no longer wants to be the man called upon to stand tall in reserve, and until Arda Turan is able to play in January, that leaves Barcelona with a few, youthful options.

The first is Rafinha, who was deployed in Neymar's position on the left against Sevilla. Although he did not look particularly comfortable at the start of the game, he grew into it, eventually finding the net.

Shakh Aivazov/Associated Press

Overall it was a good performance and he will believe he's done enough to get the call when needed, perhaps against Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup on Friday.

Luis Enrique trusts Rafinha too, having managed him at Celta Vigo and helped the player continue his growth curve.

But there are two other talented youngsters waiting for a bite of the cherry. Both Munir El Haddadi and Sandro Ramirez have been promoted to the first-team squad this season from Barcelona B.

The former has a lot of potential, while the latter's physicality and work rate are already important assets for Barcelona when required.

Damian Strohmeyer/Associated Press

Doug Benc/Associated Press

Both featured at the start of last season, scoring goals against Elche and Villarreal respectively.

Now they may be called upon again and must be ready to fulfill Pedro's role as the man who has always been there when needed.

That takes mental concentration, focus. If either of them can show they have it, it could put them in Lucho's good books for the season ahead.