Last Update: February 17, 2023, 01:31 IST
Marcus Rashford scored a goal in the second half while Marc-Ander ter Stegen added a brace in the thrilling contest (AP Image)
Xavi Hernandez and Erik ten Haag’s teams are two of the best in form teams in Europe and they have put in a remarkable performance.
Barcelona and Manchester United shared a 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou on Thursday as the two European giants clashed in the first leg of the Europa League play-offs.
Marcos Alonso sent Barcelona in front with a header but the superb Marcus Rashford drilled home for the visitors and helped force a Jules Kunde goal that gave United the lead.
Rafinha’s cross flew over to pull Barcelona level and they could have won the game when Andreas Christensen hit the post late on, with the hosts still wanting a penalty after Fred handled in the box.
Xavi Hernandez and Erik ten Haag’s teams are two of the best in form teams in Europe and they have put in a remarkable performance.
Barcelona vs Manchester United Europa League Highlights
Having met twice in Champions League finals in 2009 and 2011, this Europa League duel offered an exciting test of each team’s recent improvements.
Xavi surprisingly dropped Christensen and Alejandro Balde for Alonso and Jordi Alba, with Ronald Araújo starting right behind.
United deployed an in-form Rashford up front, with Wat Weghorst playing an unusual withdrawn role as a number 10.
The visitors were without a number of players including Christian Eriksen, Antony and the suspended Lisandro Martinez, while Barcelona were missing injured duo Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets.
David De Gea stopped a Robert Lewandowski drive early on as Barcelona started strong, with Alonso curling a free-kick and a Pedri volley off-target.
The Red Devils were soon on the mend, with Frankie de Jong turning away Jadon Sancho’s effort for an own goal.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, in fine form this season, made a brilliant save from Weghorst and then denied Rashford.
At the other end, De Gea saved from Alba as he burst into the area, before Barcelona lost midfield maestro Pedri to a thigh injury before the break.
Rafinha scored a superb effort before setting up Alonso from a corner, with the Spaniard in Barcelona’s lead after 50 minutes.
The defender escaped Fred’s attention at the far post and celebrated by raising his finger to the sky in tribute to his father, a former Barcelona player who died last week.
However, Rashford pulled United back level with a sharp near finish past Ter Stegen, beating Alonso two minutes later.
United took the lead just before the hour mark when Rashford entered the box and his cross was flicked on, Kunde unwittingly headed the ball into his own net.
This time Barcelona came back.
Rafinha, playing well in Dembele’s absence, curled a vicious cross into the area, which went past Lewandowski and into the far corner.
Christensen hit the post and De Gea made a fine save to thwart Ansu Fati late on as Barcelona took control in the closing stages but could not find the winner.
Xavi warned in his press conference that the game will not be won or lost in the first leg, and it is all set for the second leg at Old Trafford next week.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)