Manchester United got here from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1 on the evening and 4-3 on mixture to win their Europa League play-off at Previous Trafford.
Robert Lewandowski’s early penalty had left work for Erik ten Hag’s aspect however his half-time substitution turned the sport with second-half targets from Fred and substitute Antony sufficient to steer United into the spherical of 16 ultimate on the expense of Xavi’s Barca.
It was a comeback that hadn’t regarded doubtless within the meantime, however made for a memorable evening, an enormous second for Antony and for the enhancing Ten Hag aspect. They enter the Carabao Cup ultimate on Sunday nonetheless on the lookout for glory in 4 totally different competitions.
How Man Utd turned issues round
The environment had been raucous earlier than kick-off, that feeling of the potential for an opportunity to be savored in opposition to different European heavyweights. However for all the thrill, for all of the noise inside Previous Trafford, it was Barcelona who struck the primary blow.
Bruno had the prospect to open the sport, discovering himself free on the correct however solely capable of fireplace his shot on the ft of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen within the Barcelona objective. Nevertheless it was a minor flaw in comparison with the expensive error that was to comply with on the different finish.
Alejandro Balde was operating away from objective within the nook of the penalty space when the United captain tugged at his arm. It was silly and though David de Gea hit Lewandowski’s penalty, he may solely put the ball into the highest nook of the online.
Marcus Rashford, who has scored 16 targets in 17 video games for the reason that World Cup, regarded menacing and Previous Trafford was abuzz each time he had the ball. However as soon as in entrance, Barcelona took management due to Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong.
The two-2 draw at Camp Nou per week in the past had dwindled and it had sunk, with the strengths and weaknesses of either side uncovered. However there was a distinction for 45 minutes this time. Ter Stegen appeared calm. De Gea’s kick virtually gave Barcelona a second objective.
“We now have already improved loads as a crew and the following step is to beat groups like Barcelona,” Raphael Varane stated earlier than the sport. It fell to Erik ten Hag, recent from his midweek lunch with Sir Alex Ferguson, to discover a answer to the issue.
The United boss did so with the withdrawal of the ineffective Wout Weghorst, revamping his attacking line with the introduction of Antony. The payoff was instantaneous, with Fernandes squared for Fred and the Brazilian firing previous Ter Stegen together with his weaker proper foot.
De Gea nonetheless needed to save fantastically to stop Jules Kounde on the different finish, however the momentum was with United and so they took the lead within the draw quickly after. Good work from Luke Shaw and Fernandes within the nook ultimately led to Antony’s composed end on the nook.
Previous Trafford erupted in pleasure, the second they have been ready for – the crew they have been ready for. Barca boss Xavi tried to show issues round from the bench however he could not repeat Ten Hag’s trick. The Dutchman’s revival of this well-known membership continues.
Man Utd win in stats
- Manchester United beat Barcelona for the primary time since April 2008, ending their five-game dropping streak in opposition to the Spanish aspect.
- Barcelona had gone unbeaten in 37 consecutive matches the place that they had led on the break earlier than this end result.
- Solely Marcus Rashford (17) has scored extra targets for Manchester United at Previous Trafford this season than Fred (5).
- Manchester United have scored 19 targets from substitutes in all competitions this season, probably the most of any crew in Europe’s huge 5 leagues.
And after?
Manchester United now flip their consideration to Wembley, the place they face Newcastle within the Carabao Cup ultimate on Sunday, reside on sky sports activities; kick off 4:30 p.m. Erik ten Hag’s crew then host West Ham within the FA Cup on Wednesday; kick off 7:45 p.m.
Sunday, February 26, 3:00 p.m.
Kick off 4:30 p.m.
Barcelona return to La Liga motion on Sunday at Almeria; kick off 5:30 p.m. League leaders then journey to bitter rivals actual Madrid within the Copa del Rey semi-finals on Thursday; kick off 8 p.m.
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