Manchester United came from a goal down to beat Barcelona 2-1 in the Europa League play-off second leg to advance 4-3 on aggregate to the last 16.
The hosts started on a bright note! Bruno Fernandez run clear on goal and whipped in a low effort from close range, but Ter Stegen denied the Portuguese with a fine block in the 2nd minute.
The fast paced game saw the visitors raid the Old Trafford outfit in the 5th minute but Rafinha’s long range effort went wide .
Barcelona was awarded a controversial penalty in the 15th minute after Fernandez was adjudged to have fouled Alejandro Balde in the forbidden area.
Robert Lewandowski stepped up and scored from the resultant penalty though David De Gea got hand on it, he was not successful in stopping the visitors from taking an early lead .
Manchester United attacked unceasingly before Fred got an opportunity which he fired wide and it kept the Blaugrana in the lead going into the halftime break.
After the interval, Erik Ten Hag made a substitution when he brought in Antony Dos Santos for Wout Weghorst, then moved Jadon Sancho to the left and Fernandez through the middle.
The tactical changes immediately impacted the game and Fred levelled the scores in the 47th minute following a pass from Fernandez. The Brazilian’s first touch was excellent before finishing it off into the bottom right corner.
The game continued to be lively as both sides opened up in search of a winner forcing De Gea to make a great save to deny Jules Kounde in the 63rd minute.
Ten Hag made a double substitution in the 65th minute when he brought on Diogo Dalot and Alejandro Garnacho for Wan Bissaka and Sancho respectively.
Moments later, Luke Shaw initiated the move that made the second goal in the 73rd minute. His back-heel pass found Fernandez who set up Garnacho and Fred but had their attempts blocked before substitute Antony Dos Santos unleashed a brilliant first time shot beating Ter Stegen into the far corner to give Manchester United a well deserved lead.
Barcelona came at United with all their energy but the hosts backline stood firm. Rafael Varane’s clearance off the line in the dying minutes was a testament to that and the Catalans were ejected from Europa.
When asked if this is his biggest win as Man.Utd manager, Erik Ten Hag told BT sport;
“I think so, yes! We have had some good wins – Liverpool and Arsenal at home. I think this, over two legs against Barcelona- leaders in Laliga, eight points ahead of Real Madrid. We have all seen Real Madrid this week. So if you can beat them, then yes, this is my biggest win.”
Manchester United’s victory means that they remain on course for a quadruple.
