Barcelona 2-2 Manchester United: Marcus Rashford shines with blockbuster Europa League tie in the balance

Erik ten Hag’s side will be confident of completing the job in next week’s second leg at Old Trafford
Marcus Rashford scored one and played a big role in another for Man United
REUTERS
Matt Verri16 February 2023

Manchester United have the slight advantage in their heavyweight Europa League clash with Barcelona after a 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou.

It is 15 years since United last got the better of the Spanish giants, a run that has included Champions League final defeats in 2009 and 2011. Marcos Alonso headed the hosts in front shortly after the break as Barcelona landed the first blow of the play-off round tie.

United responded superbly though and within nine minutes had the lead themselves. Marcus Rashford continued his sensational form to score from a seemingly impossible angle, before playing a huge role in Jules Kounde’s own goal.

They could not hold on for a famous win, as Raphinha’s cross found a way through everyone and beyond David de Gea, but United will fancy their chances of getting the job done at Old Trafford next week.

Erik ten Hag opted to start with Rashford through the middle with Wout Weghorst behind in the No10 position, while Alonso came into the side at centre-back for Barcelona.

It was United who had by far the best chances of the opening 45 minutes, delivering on Ten Hag’s pre-match promise to attack the match. The biggest fell to Weghorst after a brilliant pass from Bruno Fernandez, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen produced the save.

Rashford was also denied by the Barcelona goalkeeper while Casemiro flicked a header straight at the German, as United failed to make the most of the opportunities that fell their way.

Barcelona had the occasional promising moment themselves, with Jordi Alba a threat on the left and Robert Lewandowski firing an effort at David de Gea, though they suffered a big blow when Pedri limped off before the break.

A chaotic nine-minute spell at the start of the second-half saw United first fall behind before then taking control of the match in a remarkable turnaround.

The home side took the lead as Alonso headed in when pretty much unmarked at the back post from a corner, less than a couple of minutes after Jadon Sancho had wasted a huge chance for United.

But the visitors did find their ruthless edge, and it was inspired by Rashford. He provided a swift equaliser after being played through by Fred, with the England forward somehow finding room to smash a low strike past Ter Stegen at the near post.

And Rashford played a central role in United taking the lead seven minutes later, as he skipped to the byline and fired the ball across the face of goal. It wasn’t pretty, but the visitors did not care one bit as the ball bobbled off Kounde and into the net.

Barcelona got themselves level, with Raphinha the goalscorer despite Robert Lewandowski being on the scene. The Polish striker appeared to have flicked the cross home, but replays showed there was no touch in the middle.

It was the hosts who went closest to winning it late on, Casemiro hitting his own post with an attempted clearance and De Gea producing a great save to deny Ansu Fati, but it’s honours even at the halfway stage of the tie.

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