Second-half goals from Antony and Fred helped United beat Barcelona 2-1 to take them into the last 16 of the Europa League
The goal was sparked by a Luke Shaw backheel by the corner flag and Bruno Fernandes muscling Raphinha off the ball to cross. First, another substitute, Alejandro Garnacho had a shot blocked; then Fred saw the same thing happen. Enter Antony, a case study in concentration to do this thing – the left-footed curler for the far corner. The execution was perfect and United and the manager, Erik ten Hag, were on their way to a famous victory.
If United believed they were on their way to restoring a bit of the old fear factor for visitors, Barcelona had arrived on a stunning run. It was the biggest game of Ten Hag’s United tenure and his players brought the intensity at the outset, feeding off the crowd, pressing high and making it uncomfortable for Barcelona. As such, the concession on 18 minutes was a shuddering set-back.
For Fernandes, it capped a wretched start because he should have put United in front with the tie’s first move. Casemiro made an interception, gave the ball away and won it straight back before releasing Fernandes with a pass up the inside right. He had all the time he needed – perhaps too much – and the finish was blasted low at Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who saved.
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