MANCHESTER UNITED fought back to defeat Barcelona 2-1 in their thrilling Europa League clash.
Robert Lewandowski had netted from the penalty spot before Fred and Antony scored for United who won 4-3 on aggregate.
United will now be in the big Europa League round of 16 draw at Uefa’s HQ in Nyon, Switzerland.
- Result: Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)
- Man Utd XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Fred, Fernandes, Weghorst, Sancho, Rashford
- Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde, Busquets, De Jong, Kessie, Roberto, Lewandowski, Raphinha
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Ten Hag hailed for masterstroke
Erik ten Hag has been hailed for pulling off a tactical masterstroke and guiding Manchester United to a thrilling comeback over Barcelona.
The introduction of Antony in place of Wout Weghorst during half-time paid instant dividends as they took over.
United have scored 19 goals by substitutes in all competitions this season, the most of any big five European league side this term.
Red Devils legend Peter Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 Live: “In the second-half Erik ten Hag made the right changes and it was an instant result.”
One fan tweeted: “No manager is perfect with in-game management, but Ten Hag is pretty close.”
Credit: Getty Fergie reacts
Sir Alex Ferguson ‘s heartwarming reaction to Manchester United’s winning goal over Barcelona had fans “pumped” after it was caught on camera.
The Red Devils took another step towards the quadruple after coming from behind to beat the Euro giants 2-1 and dump them out of the Europa League.
The 81-year-old icon was spotted at the Theatre of Dreams sitting alongside former Leeds United boss Howard Wilkinson – the last Englishman to guide a team to top-flight success in 1992.
And as Old Trafford erupted with delight at Antony’s strike, the veterans both jumped up from their seats as Fergie clapped wildly with delight.
Then, the fiery Scotsman who was famous for dishing out the hair-dryer treatment, was caught performing a fist pump.
What it means to be seeded?
Seeded teams will play the second leg at home.
Though in the form Man Utd are in these days I doubt that will worry them much.
Europa League draw teams
The seeded and unseeded teams for tomorrow’s massive round of 16 draw.
Group stage winners (are seeded)
Arsenal (ENG)
Betis (ESP)
Fenerbahçe (TUR)
Ferencváros (HUN)
Feyenoord (NED)
Freiburg (GER)
Real Sociedad (ESP)
Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL)Knockout round play-off winners (are unseeded)
Union Berlin (GER)
Man Utd (ENG)
Juventus (ITA)
Leverkusen (GER)
Roma (ITA)
Sevilla (ESP)
Shakhtar (UKR)
Sporting CP (POR)Who could United face in the draw?
Here are the seeded teams who await Man Utd in the Europa League draw.
Man Utd cannot face Arsenal at this stage.
When is the Europa League draw?
The round of 16 draw takes place tomorrow morning.
It will all get underway from 11am UK time.
And remember, United will be unseeded in the draw.
Ten Hag salutes ‘best win with Utd’
Erik ten Hag believes toppling Barcelona over two legs is his best achievement with United.
The Red Devils boss told BT Sport: “We’ve had some good wins – Arsenal and Liverpool.
But I think this over two legs… Barcelona are eight points ahead in LaLiga, ahead of Real Madrid, so this is a big, big win.”
Ten Hag admitted the first half was “flat” but still felt United were unlucky to be behind.
He then praised pacy subs Antony and Alejandro Garnacho – who “have no fear” for helping the turnaround for a 2-1 win and 4-3 aggregate triumph.
And the Dutchman claimed having a dressing room full of inspirational figures meant the Red Devils would always roar back.
He said: “We have some great personalities in the team – like Varane, Martinez, Fernandes, Casemiro.
“If we have set-backs they move on.”
‘This is what makes United’
Paul Scholes believes arguably the biggest, loudest, best night at Old Trafford for years is a glimpse into both the past and the future.
Scholes was part of Alex Ferguson’s glory era and feels Erik ten Hag can create a new golden age following this evening’s 2-1 defeat of Barcelona.
The ex-United midfielder told BT Sport: “What a great night, absolutely brilliant.
“Big European nights like this are what makes United.
“We know Barcelona had a couple of big players out.
“But once United got that second goal I don’t think United were in trouble.”
Scholes added, however: “They (United) had to improve after that first half, because they were flat, and they did.”
Deja Eu?
Tonight’s 2-1 win was United’s first victory over Barcelona in 15 years.
And the Red Devils went on to beat Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League final.
A good omen?
Fred joy as fans chant his name
Fred’s not always been the first name in the team or on the lips of United fans.
But after his awesome display tonight, including a match-turning equaliser, he got the reception he deserved – and lapped it up.
The tireless midfielder told BT Sport: “It’s very good to hear my name from the fans.
“It was a good game, We had to keep going.
“The first half we don’t play like we do, second half was much better.”
Bruno: Old Trafford bouncing
Bruno Fernandes claims the belief from players AND fans inspired United’s comeback KO of Barcelona.
The midfielder told BT Sport: “The belief of the team is always there.
“The fans have pushed us through difficult moments this season.
“We know in the past we have done a lot like this (big games) but now we have a big match on Sunday (Carabao Cup final)
“Old Trafford was bouncing tonight.”
Scholes hails great double
United legend Paul Scholes hailed United’s transformation to KO Barcelona.
Scholes believes the good times are back – “after the first half was really bad”.
Praising the substitutions, he told BT Sport: “Two really good goals have won it for us.”
Man Utd 2-1 Barca: Fred Devils have done it
United’s roaring comeback win puts them into the Europa league last 16 4-3 on aggregate.
Star man Fred and Antony overturned Lewandowski’s early penalty opener as the Red Devils transformed after the break.
United deserved it over the two legs, following a stirring 2-2 first leg draw,
Man Utd 2-1 Barca: RED DEVILS THROUGH
Man Utd 2-1 Barca: Varane barrier
Lewandowski’s shot was cleared off the lien by Varane.
The move was ruled offside anyway – but what a block!
Man Utd 2-1 Barca: Awesome Fred
Fred’s still the main man as United try to fend off Barcelona midway through stoppage time.
Barca are now building forward steadily.
But one Torres cross just eluded three visitors’ players.
And United soon win a free-kick that’s celebrated almost like a goal.
Man Utd 2-1 Barca: Red Devils clinging on
United briefly got hold of the ball in the corner – to slow things down.
But Barca struck back instantly – and Lewandowski was nearly found clear on goal.
Soon after that, Fred is again involved, sniffing out a half-chance on the eedge of the box.
We’re into FIVE MINUTES of added time.
Man Utd 2-1 Barca: Rashford hobbles off
United brought on Scott McTominay in the 88th minute for Rashford, who walked off gingerly.
We can expect plenty of stoppage time here.
Man Utd 2-1 Barca: Casemiro booked
Casemiro hauled Lewandowski down in the middle of the United half, earning a booking when Barca were getting men forward.
Man Utd 2-1 Barca: Araujo off, Alonso on
Barcelona rejig their defence as the tie enters the final eight minutes.
So far we’ve not seen any heavy pressure from Barca.
And in fact direct-running United sub Garnacho earns Busquets a booking with a burst from halfway.
The midfield legend tripped the speeding winger, who tumbled dramatically.
That free-kick award calms things down nicely for United.
Man Utd 2-1 Barca: Brilliant United break
After United clear a Torres free-kick, the inspirational Fred leads a stunning counter-attack.
Garnacho swaps passes with the Brazilian and the resulting cross is just cleared from danger.
Rashford then threatens in the box too.
Man Utd 2-1 Barca: Can Red Devils hold on
4-3 up on aggregate, United so far aren’t resorting to just defending.
But Garnacho is booked for a reckless challenge on Kounde, giving Barcelona a free-kick deep down the right.
Man Utd 2-1 Barca: Subs have turned this around
Garnacho and Fernandes showed great strength and determination to conjure a chance out of nothing down the left.
And when the ball comes in Antony shows outstanding composure in the penalty area D to plant a precision left-footer back into the corner.
GOAL: Man Utd 2-1 Barca
Antony’s bottom-corner snap-shot on 72 minutes puts United in front on the night and on aggregate.
Man Utd 1-1 Barca: Torres on for Roberto
Ex-Man City winger Ferran Torres came on for Barcelona – on the right wing.
And virtually his first act will be to help defend a free-kick conceded by Lewandowski’s foul on Casemiro, who seems hurt as he receives plenty of treatment.
Lewandowski is eventually booked during an extended delay.
And more importantly Casemiro is fine to continue.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
