Manchester United got here from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1 on the evening and 4-3 on combination to win their Europa League play-off at Outdated Trafford.

Robert Lewandowski’s early penalty had left Erik ten Hag’s staff with work to do however his half-time change turned the sport with second-half objectives from Fred and substitute Antony sufficient to take United by way of to the spherical of 16 on the expense of Xavi’s Barca.

It was a comeback that had not appeared probably on the interval however as a substitute made it an evening to recollect, an enormous second for Antony and for Ten Hag’s bettering staff. They go into Sunday’s Carabao Cup remaining nonetheless chasing glory in 4 totally different competitions.

How Man Utd turned the tie round

The environment had been raucous earlier than kick-off, that sense of the potential for an event to savour up towards fellow European heavyweights. However for all the joy, for all of the noise inside Outdated Trafford, it was Barcelona who landed the primary blow.

Bruno had the opening likelihood of the sport, discovering himself free on the proper however solely in a position to fireplace his shot into the toes of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen within the Barcelona objective. However that was a minor failing in comparison with the expensive error that was to observe on the different finish.

Alejandro Balde was working away from objective within the nook of the penalty field when the United captain tugged at his arm. It was silly and although David de Gea bought a contact to Lewandowski’s penalty he may solely palm the ball into the highest nook of the web.

Marcus Rashford, coming into this having scored 16 objectives in 17 video games for the reason that World Cup, appeared threatening and Outdated Trafford was abuzz each time he had the ball. However as soon as in entrance Barcelona gained a measure of management by way of Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong.

The two-2 draw within the Camp Nou one week in the past had ebbed and it had flowed, the strengths and weaknesses of each groups on present. However there was a distinction for 45 minutes this time. Ter Stegen appeared calm. De Gea’s kick nearly gifted a second objective to Barcelona.

“Now we have improved so much already as a staff and the subsequent stage is to beat groups like Barcelona,” Raphael Varane had stated earlier than the sport. The onus was on Erik ten Hag, contemporary 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, rejigging his ahead line with the introduction of Antony. The reward was instantaneous, Fernandes squaring for Fred and the Brazilian firing past Ter Stegen along with his weaker proper foot.

De Gea nonetheless needed to save fantastically to disclaim Jules Kounde on the different finish however the momentum was with United they usually took the lead within the tie quickly after. Good work from Luke Shaw and Fernandes within the nook ultimately led to Antony’s composed end on the angle.

Outdated Trafford erupted in pleasure, the second they’d been ready for – the staff they’d been ready for. Barca boss Xavi tried to show the tie from the bench however he couldn’t repeat the trick of Ten Hag. The Dutchman’s revival of this well-known membership continues.

Ten Hag: ‘My greatest win at United’

When requested on BT Sport if that is his greatest win as Manchester United supervisor: “I feel so, sure. Now we have had some good wins – Liverpool and Arsenal at residence.

“Over two legs, towards Barcelona, leaders in LaLiga, eight factors forward of Actual Madrid. Now we have all seen Actual Madrid this week. So in the event you can beat them, then sure, that is my greatest win.”

Xavi: ‘Small particulars make the distinction’

Requested within the press convention when he believes Barcelona will be capable to compete for main European trophies once more, Xavi stated: “Hopefully, subsequent season. We competed properly. On the finish we misplaced, nevertheless it was actually totally different from final season.

“Final season, it was unimaginable to compete. This season was totally different. We competed properly, however the small particulars make the distinction. Now we have to study from our errors and be prepared for subsequent season.”

Man Utd’s win in stats

• Manchester United beat Barcelona for the primary time since April 2008, ending their five-game winless run towards the Spanish aspect.
• Barcelona had gone unbeaten in 37 successive matches during which they’d led on the break earlier than this end result.
• Solely Marcus Rashford (17) has netted extra objectives for Manchester United at Outdated Trafford this season than Fred (5).
• Manchester United have had 19 objectives scored by substitutes in all competitions this season, essentially the most of any aspect in Europe’s huge 5 leagues.

What’s subsequent?

Manchester United now swap their attentions to Wembley, the place they tackle Newcastle within the Carabao Cup remaining on Sunday, dwell on Sky Sports activities; kick-off 4.30pm. Erik ten Hag’s aspect then host West Ham within the FA Cup on Wednesday; kick-off 7.45pm.

Sunday twenty sixth February 3:00pm


Kick off 4:30pm

Barcelona return to LaLiga motion on Sunday at Almeria; kick-off 5.30pm. The league leaders then journey to bitter rivals Actual Madrid within the Copa del Rey semi-finals on Thursday; kick-off 8pm.