Erik ten Hag excited by Manchester United's potential

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says his side's thrilling comeback victory over Barcelona in the Europa League shows they can beat anyone.

United looked to be heading out of Europe to Spanish opposition again when Robert Lewandowski’s first-half penalty put Barca 3-2 up on aggregate and in control at Old Trafford.

But a fine revival saw Fred equalise after only 82 seconds of the second half before half-time substitute Antony sent home fans wild with a 73rd-minute strike to seal a 2-1 win on the night and a 4-3 victory on aggregate.

Victory, which sends United through to the last 16, sees them still competing on all four fronts and is the perfect tonic ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.

Barca are runaway leaders in La Liga, which gives Ten Hag belief his side are a match for anyone in Europe.

"If we do the right things, if we follow the rules, if we follow principles and show discipline and team spirit, I think this team can achieve a lot"

"It was a magnificent night," he said. "I think it is brilliant when you can beat Barcelona, eight points ahead of Real Madrid in La Liga and we have seen in this week Real Madrid playing.

"We have the potential to beat the big teams, we have shown we can beat City, we can beat Arsenal, we can beat Liverpool. If we do the right things, if we follow the rules, if we follow principles and show discipline and team spirit, I think this team can achieve a lot.

"You need a strategy to build that but also you need results to get that strong belief. I think this is another step because when you can beat Barcelona – one of the best teams in this moment in Europe – your belief can be really strong because then I think you are able to beat anyone."

It was a big moment for Antony,