Manchester United progressed to the last-16 of the Europa League on Thursday night, beating Barcelona 2-1 at Old Trafford to give them a 4-3 aggregate victory over the Catalan club.
The Red Devils had trailed at the break but a second-half fightback saw Erik ten Hag’s side turn the game on its head thanks to goals from Fred and Antony.
The game had a fervent pace to it early on, with Bruno Fernandes testing Marc-Andre ter Stegen with a breakaway chance, before Raphinha curled over from outside the box. But on 16 minutes a rash moment from Fernandes saw Barcelona awarded a penalty. The Portugal international tugged on the arm of Alejandro Balde and the full-back went tumbling to the ground in front of the Stretford End, with referee Clement Turpin pointing to the spot.
Robert Lewandowski stepped up and slotted it to his right-hand side, with David de Gea getting a hand to the ball but failing to keep it out of the goal.
After the opener, the rest of the first half didn’t yield many chances, with Fernandes seeing a scruffy volley saved and then Fred’s misplaced cross ended up on the roof of the net. Barca ended the half with Raphinha firing over before Franck Kessie’s effort was blocked by Lisandro Martinez in the box.
But it took less than 90 seconds after the break for United to get back on level terms, as Fred smashed the ball into the back of the net with his right foot after he latched onto Bruno Fernandes’ through ball at the edge of the box.
United were on top at this stage, and Marcus Rashford fired wide from a tight angle before Antony’s shot was held. Barcelona also twice tested De Gea around the hour mark as Jules Kounde’s header was tipped over, as was a Kessie strike from outside the box.
Yet it was still United who were the better side as the game entered the final 20 minutes, with Antony grabbing the pivotal goal in the latter stages. The ball dropped to the no.21 at the edge of the area following a goalmouth melee, and he curled his shot into the bottom corner, giving Ter Stegen no chance in the away goal.
The final stages of the game were tense with Rashford hitting the side netting in a rare United attack, as the hosts sat in and defended well. And their compact shape limited Barca’s scoring opportunities - Lewandowski did have one major chance in injury-time but Varane got back to clear the ball off the line, only to see the offside flag raised moments later.
Soon after, the full-time whistle sounded inside a jubiliant Old Trafford as United progressed in the Europa League. Here’s how we rated the players...
1. David de Gea- 7
Nearly got to the penalty and made some good saves to deny Barcelona a second goal.
2. Aaron Wan-Bissaka- 6 (off 67)
Solid enough from the defender who didn’t have much to deal with up against Sergi Roberto. But Wan-Wissaka didn’t offer much offensively.
3. Raphael Varane- 8
Composed at the back and the Frenchman put in a dominant display at the back. He even pushed forward on a few occasions and impressed at Old Trafford.
4. Lisandro Martinez- 8
Enjoyed his battle with Lewandowski and Martinez put in some excellent challenges throughout the game.