The Barcelona coaching staff have decided that the time has come for Munir El Haddadi to drop back down to Barça B, having been the only player to feature in the senior side's first 28 matchday squads this season.

The attacking starlet has become a fixture in Luis Enrique's first-team training sessions after making the breakthrough last summer, but now looks set for a spell back with the reserves. However, it must be stressed that this move is not a vote of no confidence in Munir's ability, but rather the opposite, as he is seen as just the man to arrest the second string's recent slump.

The reasons for Munir's demotion are Barça B's perilous situation - they currently lie 18th in the second division, just a point above the relegation zone - and the youngster's lack of opportunities since Luis Suárez returned from suspension.

Barcelona would hardly welcome their in-house feeder team dropping down a division in the best of circumstances, let alone when they face a transfer ban meaning that they will have to draw heavily on their academy over the next year or so.

Munir is officially registered with the B-team and has played for them previously this campaign. That was back in mid-November, when La Liga came to a halt for the international break. The teenage sensation wasn't called up by Vicente del Bosque and, since Barça feel it is essential he plays games to further his development, he turned out for the reserves in the 1-1 draw with Numancia. He failed to beat his namesake in the opposition goal that day, but it is hoped the 19-year-old will start banging them in again for fun if he enjoys a regular run of matches.