Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona ( Fred 47′, Antony 73′ | Lewandowski 18′ pen) Man Utd advance 4-3 on aggregate
Manchester United got the better of Barcelona in another blockbuster encounter as Antony’s second-half winner earned Erik ten Hag’s side a spot in the Europa League last 16.
Barca led through a Robert Lewandowski penalty in the first half, but Fred levelled the tie two minutes after the break – kick-starting yet another frenetic half just as the second 45 minutes of the first leg had proved to be.
Both sides had their chances, but ultimately it was subsitute Antony who put United ahead with a fine side-footed finish, and that was enough for the hosts to join Arsenal in Friday’s draw.
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Motty's death feels deeply personal - he was the soundtrack to my childhood23 February, 2023A terrific atmosphere at Old Trafford appeared to inspire United’s players early on, and inside four minutes it required a decent stop from Marc-André ter Stegen to deny Bruno Fernandes the opener.
Some 10 minutes later, Fernandes was then penalised for a foul inside his own area, with referee Clément Turpin pointing to the spot after the United midfielder grabbed the shirt of Alejandro Balde.
Though arguably soft, “it’s a penalty,” agreed BT Sport co-commentator Robbie Savage. “People will argue there’s not enough in it, but Fernandes had his arm on Balde. As soon as the referee gives it they’re not going to change it, it’s not a clear and obvious error.”
Indeed, the call stood, and though David de Gea got a hand on Lewandowski’s penalty, he was unable to keep the spot-kick out.
United looked short of ideas, and almost went two down after De Gea’s poor back pass, but the goalkeeper was rescued by a crucial block from Casemiro.
Man Utd vs Barcelona player ratings
Man Utd: De Gea 6, Shaw 7, Martinez 7, Varane 8, Wan-Bissaka 6, Casemiro 8, Fred 8, Sancho 6, Fernandes 7, Rashford 6, Weghorst 5. Subs: Antony 8, Dalot 6, Garnacho 6, McTominay n/a.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen 6, Araujo 6, Christensen 7, Kounde 6, Balde 6, De Jong 6, Busquets 6, Kessie 5, Roberto 6, Lewandowski 7, Raphinha 6. Subs: Torres 6, Fati n/a, Alonso n/a.
Barcelona took their one-goal lead into the break, and that prompted Erik ten Hag to make a half-time substitute and tactical switch – bringing on Antony for Wout Weghorst and pushing Marcus Rashford up top.
The change worked immediately, setting Sancho free down the left, where the move for their equaliser started. He found Fernandes, who in turn picked out Fred, and a superb touch from the Brazilian was followed by a shinned, but powerful, effort into the bottom corner.
Old Trafford erupted, and sensed this tie could quickly turn in their favour, but the promising attacks that followed lacked the finishing touch as Barca defended for their lives.
It's like a pinball machine in there!!
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 23, 2023
Man United come from behind to take a 2-1 lead in this tie through Antony!!#UEL pic.twitter.com/YcFt5Lx95Y
The game was becoming stretched, with signs Barca could threaten on the break, and the visitors almost went back ahead when Jules Kounde’s header prompted a fine flying save from De Gea.
However, it was United who got the second goal, with Antony placing a fine effort just below Ter Stegen’s outstretched hand after Luke Shaw’s clever backheel kept the play alive and two previous attempts were blocked.
“He’s been such a threat since he’s come on,” said Savage, with Antony ultimately the match-winner as United held on to make a mighty statement, not only for their Europa League chances, but to affirm that the tide really is turning under Ten Hag with a Carabao Cup final around the corner.
Analysis: Man Utd are officially back
By Pete Hall at Old Trafford
We have been skirting around the issue for several months, but having beaten the best team in Spain, taking the game to them with an intensity rarely seen at Old Trafford for the best part of a decade, there can be no doubting Manchester United are well and truly back.
For much of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, whenever United came up against teams of Barcelona’s calibre – occasions that have got rarer and rarer as the years have gone by – they have almost always looked out of their depth, very much a fallen giant with a long way to go to rekindle anything like their former grandeur.
In a first half dominated by Barcelona on Thursday night, as the Spaniards had one foot in the Europa League last 16, perhaps for all their recent progress such a tussle was a step too far over two legs for United.
A storming second-half comeback, with goals from Brazilian duo Fred and Antony sending United through and ensuring they remain the only team in Europe’s top-five leagues competing for four trophies, told a very different story. The only way is up, it seems, for Erik ten Hag’s resurgent troops.
Read Pete’s piece from Old Trafford in full here.
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