Barcelona 2-2 Manchester United: European giants serve up a THRILLER as Marcus Rashford sparks a Red Devils comeback before Raphinha equalizes to leave the Europa League play-off in the balance.

 

Barcelona 2-2 Manchester United: European giants serve up a THRILLER as Marcus Rashford sparks a Red Devils comeback before Raphinha equalizes to leave the Europa League play-off in the balance.

Former Leeds player denied Manchester United a first-ever victory over Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

On the night, Marcus Rashford scored his 14th goal in the last 16 games and his fourth in as many games.

Relive the action from the Nou Camp during the first leg of the Europa League play-off in Barcelona.

Even in the Europa League, Manchester United and Barcelona do not do boring. At a packed Nou Camp, one of Europe's great matches produced a spectacle worthy of its billing.

As United came back to lead with 24 minutes left, Marcus Rashford lit up the old place and threatened to give United their first ever victory here over Barcelona.

Rashford was described by Barcelona manager Xavi as one of Europe's most dangerous strikers, and he looked like it as he scored his 14th goal in 16 games while playing in a central role that isn't meant to bring out the best in him. Who is to say?

Manchester United and Barcelona don't do boring, not even in the Europa League. At a packed Nou Camp, one of Europe's great matchups produced a spectacle worthy of its billing.

Marcus Rashford lit up the old place and threatened to give United their first ever victory here over Barcelona as United came back to lead with 24 minutes left.

Xavi, the manager of Barcelona, had described Rashford as one of Europe's most dangerous strikers, and he looked like it as he scored his 14th goal in 16 games while playing in a central role that isn't meant to bring out the best in him. Who says?

After taking the lead through Marcos Alonso, Barcelona drew level through Raphinha, a familiar face in the Premier League, to level the tie going into the second leg at Old Trafford next week.

What a thrilling first leg. From beginning to end, blow for blow. Two of Europe's greats competing as if it were a Champions League final, not a spot in the Europa League last 16. The Nou Camp's 94,000 fans loved it, and both teams deserve a lot of credit.

Marcos Alonso gave the hosts a strong start in the second period, scoring in the 50th minute of the game.

Just two minutes later, Marcus Rashford scored his fourth goal in as many games to pull the visitors level.

Jules Kounde's own goal then gave the Red Devils the lead just nine minutes after falling behind.

Raphinha equalized on 76 minutes to make it 2-2, denying the visitors a crucial first-leg win in the Europa League play-off.

'I believe we can put together a good counter-attack, but we have to push them out of their comfort zone and press them high when we can. We have players who can play, so we have to play,' said United manager Erik ten Hag before kickoff.

'It's fantastic to be here; there's a long line of Dutch players and managers here with Barcelona, but I'm here for Manchester United, and we want to win in the Manchester United style.'

Ten Hag was boosted by the return of Casemiro, who had served two-thirds of a three-match domestic ban but was free to play in Europe, with Lisandro Martinez and new loan signing Marcel Sabitzer suspended. The United manager used Luke Shaw on the left side of central defense to deputize for Martinez, and chose Aaron Wan-Bissaka over Diogo Dalot at right back. However, he had no intention of playing cautiously.

Ten Hag's team selection was no surprise, but his tactics were not: a 4-1-4-1 formation with Casemiro playing alone in front of the back four and Rashford running through the middle. Bruno Fernandes was on the right flank, while Jadon Sancho moved to the left, allowing 6ft 6in striker Wout Weghorst to drop deeper in an attempt to dominate midfield - or, at the very least, to prevent Frenkie de Jong and Franck Kessie from dominating.

It also worked. United dominated the first half and created the most chances. Ten Hag's only real complaint might be that his team didn't get a goal or two to show for it, and that they let Barcelona in a couple of times due to sloppy defending.

A game that began at 5.45 p.m. UK time, not long after the sun had set below the cavernous bowl that is the Nou Camp, was only 20 seconds old when Fernandes got free on the right and whipped in a cross. Fred, of all people, was the most advanced United player and was only inches away from scoring.

United's strong start was highlighted by three chances for the home team in the first 11 minutes. Former Chelsea defender Alonso curled a free kick over on the edge of the box after Fred had fouled the lively Gavi, and Jordi Alba volleyed narrowly over when his header from Gavi's looped pass bounced back to him off Shaw.

However, United re-asserted themselves and should have been ahead by halftime. Weghorst had the best chance when Fernandes clipped a pass into him in the 28th minute after he had ventured forward into plenty of space. The ball hung on a little too long and bounced a few times as the Dutchman waited for it to reach him. Marc-Andre ter Stegen had already rushed out to block Weghorst's shot by the time it happened.

In the 52nd minute of the game, the in-form England star equalized for his team, continuing his own rich purple patch.

David de Gea remained rooted to the spot, expecting a touch from start striker Robert Lewandowski on Raphinha's cross in.

Six minutes later, Rashford got free in the box and tried to catch Ter Stegen off guard with an early effort scooped towards the far post with his right foot, but he was denied by a one-handed save.

MATCH FACTS, STATS AND PLAYER RATINGS

BARCELONA (4-3-3): Ter Stegen 6; Kounde 5, Araujo 6, Alonso 7 (Christensen 67), Alba 6.5 (Balde 67, 6); Pedri 6.5 (Roberto 41, 7), De Jong 7, Kessie 6.5 (Fati 67, 6); Raphinha 7 (F Torres 83), Lewandowski 6.5, Gavi 7.5. 

Subs: Garcia, Sotorres, Casado, Torre, Tenas, Alarcon.

Scorers: Alonso 50, Raphinha 76

Booked: Alba, Gavi

Manager: Xavi Hernandez 7

MAN UTD (4-1-4-1): De Gea 6; Wan-Bissaka 6.5, Varane 6.5, Shaw 7, Malacia 6 ; Casemiro 6; Fernandes 6.5, Weghorst 5.5, Fred 7, Sancho 5 (Garnacho 82); Rashford 8. 

Subs: Lindelof, Maguire, Dalot, Heaton, Pellistri, Butland, Elanga, Garnacho, Iqbal, Mainoo.

Scorers: Rashford 52, Kounde og 59

Booked: Varane, Casemiro, Malacia

Manager: Erik ten Hag 7

Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy) 7

However, the Catalans were unbeaten in their previous 16 games and had no reason to threaten again. But in the 37th minute, Casemiro played a cross-box pass to Wan-Bissaka, who allowed the ball to bounce across him and straight to Alba, who stole in on goal. Wan-Bissaka recovered just in time to deflect the shot, and De Gea finished the job by blocking at his near post.

Barcelona will have been disappointed with their first-half performance and will have come out for the second half determined to make amends. When Raphinha assisted the opening goal in the 50th minute, he had already sent a 20-yard effort whistling past the far post.

The Brazilian swung a cross from the right towards the back post, where Alonso had already taken up position after eluding Fred.

By the time Alonso rose to plant a downward header past De Gea's near post, the United midfielder had completely misaligned his body shape and was facing the wrong way.

United, to their credit, came roaring back and equalized just two minutes later. Casemiro passed the ball to Fred, who took a step back and spotted Rashford's run. The Brazilian threaded a pass between Alba and Alonso, who was chasing Rashford into the box.

United's in-form striker appeared to have taken the ball too wide with his first touch, suggesting that a cross would have been a better option. But Rashford is playing so confidently right now that he took a chance and rifled a shot past Ter Stegen at the near post.

United fans in the Nou Camp rejoiced, and it got even better seven minutes later when Rashford set up a second goal.

Shaw played him a short corner, and the easier option appeared to be to take the ball to the left, away from Raphinha, who appeared to have him covered. Rashford instead abruptly dipped to the right, where there was almost no space, and Raphinha was out of the picture. Rashford raced down the byline and crossed to the six-yard box, where Fernandes assisted and the hapless Jules Kounde bundled the ball over his own goal line.

Erik ten Hag stated before the game that he wanted his team to disrupt Barcelona's "comfort zone" at the Nou Camp.

Rashford was flying now, and he was denied a penalty shortly after when he was clipped by Kounde, despite the fact that contact was made just outside the box, and Italian referee Maurizio Mariani wasn't buying it anyway.

Xavi made three substitutions for Barcelona, bringing on Andreas Christensen, Ansu Fati, and Alex Balde, but the equalizer in the 76th minute was not tactical. Casemiro will be furious at himself for giving away possession so cheaply with a poor pass on the edge of his own box, and the ball was quickly moved out to Raphinha on the right.

He whipped in a cross with his left foot, and Lewandowski's presence only seemed to confuse United as the Pole failed to get a touch on the ball, which flew through Varane's legs and past De Gea.

Barcelona came so close to scoring as well, hitting the post late on, but a draw was the most equitable result here.