📰 Table Of Contents
Match report
Another action-packed, controversy-strewn affair between Manchester United and Barcelona on Thursday ultimately culminated in the former emerging triumphant.
The 2nd-leg of the most high-profile tie of the Europa League’s Last-32, of course, played out a short time ago.
After a pulsating 2-2 stalemate between the two sides at the Camp Nou, Manchester United welcomed Barcelona to Old Trafford, desperate to keep alive hopes of what would come as a shock cup treble.
And, when all was said and done, this is precisely what Erik ten Hag’s troops went on to do.
It was visitors Barcelona who opened the scoring in the clash, when Bruno Fernandes was adjudged to have felled Alejandro Balde in the United penalty area, opening the door for Robert Lewandowski to slot home the ensuing spot-kick:
Just minutes into the 2nd-half, though, the hosts were level.
FRED EQUALISES FOR UNITED!!!
A minute after the break, Manchester United are back on level terms! 🔴⚫️
Game on!#UEL pic.twitter.com/iVhu8eGfj0
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 23, 2023
From here, the two sides exchanged chances, with the likes of Antony and Jules Kounde having come close to putting their respective clubs in front.
Then, a little over fifteen minutes from time, the evening’s decisive moment was indeed forthcoming.
After Bruno Fernandes did well to secure possession near the end-line, Alejandro Garnacho’s ensuing effort was blocked, only to fall into the path of the awaiting Antony, who slotted a trademark left-footed finish into the far bottom corner:
It’s like a pinball machine in there!!
Man United come from behind to take a 2-1 lead in this tie through Antony!! 💫#UEL pic.twitter.com/YcFt5Lx95Y
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 23, 2023
Manchester United, in turn, march on to the Europa League’s Last-16, with Barcelona, on the other hand, left to ponder what might have been on the back of yet another hugely underwhelming campaign on the continent.
Player ratings
Manchester United
David De Gea – 6
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6.5
Raphael Varane – 7
Lisandro Martinez – 7.5
Luke Shaw – 7
Casemiro – 6.5
Fred – 8.5
Jadon Sancho – 5
Bruno Fernandes – 7.5
Marcus Rashford – 6
Wout Weghorst – 4.5
Substitutes: Diogo Dalot – 5.5, Antony – 7, Scott McTominay – 5, Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Barcelona
Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 5.5
Jules Kounde – 4.5
Ronald Araujo – 6.5
Andreas Christensen – 6.5
Alejandro Balde – 6
Sergio Busquets – 5.5
Frenkie De Jong – 7
Franck Kessie – 6
Sergi Roberto – 5
Raphinha – 5
Robert Lewandowski – 6
Substitutes: Ferran Torres – 5.5, Ansu Fati – 5, Marcos Alonso – 4
Fan reaction & Stat roundup
Ref warning Xavi that no more decisions in Barca’s favor until he gets his next payment installment. pic.twitter.com/yAiAQxushG
— M•A•J (@Ultra_Suristic) February 23, 2023
Has the ref been a bit poor with his calls? Yes
Is that the only reason United are 1-0 down? Not at all we need to be a lot better
— Casey Evans (@Casey_Evans_) February 23, 2023
These foreign refs don’t understand how it works in this country, you don’t give penalties to the away team at Old Trafford
— Paddy (@PaddyArsenal) February 23, 2023
What did I say about the ref. Couldn’t give it quick enough
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) February 23, 2023
Alejandro Balde’s first half by numbers vs. Man Utd
100% take-ons completed
36 touches
6 duels contested
5 duels won
5 passes in the final third
3 take-ons completed
3x possession won
2 fouls won
1 penalty won #UEL pic.twitter.com/9oPJPfPif4— Squawka (@Squawka) February 23, 2023
No Manchester United player had more touches inside the opposition box in the first half than Aaron Wan-Bissaka (3). 🙃#UEL
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 23, 2023
12 – Robert Lewandowski has scored 25 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona this season, the 12th successive campaign in which he’s netted 25+ goals at club level. Marksman. pic.twitter.com/LOvGHfmbZX
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 23, 2023
Fred’s last three games for Manchester United:
⚽️ vs. Barcelona (h)
🅰️ vs. Leicester City (h)
🅰️ vs. Barcelona (a)Fred, Fred will tear you apart. AGAIN. pic.twitter.com/XwLiaOtdHg
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 23, 2023
Bruno Fernandes has scored or assisted 27 goals in 35 games for Man Utd in European competitions.
Great awareness to find Fred. 🧙♂️ pic.twitter.com/EowOxSmMeT
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 23, 2023
Watch Xavi blame the ref instead of admitting his mistakes. His line up cost us in the first leg, his subs cost us in the second.
— Goal Digger (@GoalDiggerFCB) February 23, 2023
Antony has now scored 6 goals in all competitions this season. Only Rashford (24) & Bruno Fernandes (7) have scored more for Manchester United.
Jogo Bonito. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/a29qltzKDv
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 23, 2023
Bruno Fernandes kicked this at Frenkie de Jong 😮 pic.twitter.com/o47OGnt9vd
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 23, 2023
Yeah De Jong defo ain’t joining MUFC now 👀
— Joel Beya (@joelbeya) February 23, 2023
Tenhag is 10 times the manager xavi is . These players did not deserve this kind of coaching. Ten hag saw weghorst play nonsense and took him off at halftime time and brought on Antony . Took sancho off before the 60th minute to bring on garnacho someone who was watching the game
— MIRACLE 🦅 (@miraculous017) February 23, 2023
I am so thankful that we didn’t end up with Raphinha or Kounde. Bullets dodged.
— Futbol Chelsea (@FutbolCheIsea) February 23, 2023
This turnaround at Old Trafford is down to Ten Hag
Bringing Antony (forces Balde back, stretches FCB with pace, you can play long to him making FCB pressure useless, helps with pressure) takes the game to where manager wanted it. Open, box to box and Barcelona couldnt stop that
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) February 23, 2023
Man United have now beaten Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs, Man City and Barcelona at home this season.
Erik ten Hag has turned Old Trafford into a fortress ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/rx5WxJ8goo
— Eurosport (@eurosport) February 23, 2023
Lisandro Martinez’s game by numbers vs. Barcelona:
70% duel win rate
63 touches
35 passes completed
5/9 long balls completed
4 clearances
4/5 tackles wonLeaving Old Trafford with Lewandowski in his back pocket. pic.twitter.com/rmBTBMy9lT
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 23, 2023
Amazing what can happen with an actual coach in charge. Ten Hag is actually improving everything and everyone. Amazing transformation he’s overseeing
— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesSoccer) February 23, 2023
First time Barcelona have been knocked out of Europe without at least reaching the last 16 since 1985.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) February 23, 2023
Manchester United are the only team in Europe’s top 5 leagues who can still win the quadruple (Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup & Europa League).
Erik Ten Hag’s Red and White Army. pic.twitter.com/fUG8Mt1Wx7
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 23, 2023
Tottenham learn when Rodrigo Bentancur is expected to return from injury
