Erik ten Hag is two transfers away from building his dream Manchester United line-up

If Manchester United's barnstorming 2-2 draw with Barcelona did not send out a message to say that one of European football's heavyweights is awakening, nothing will.

Arriving in Spain with a squad heavily decimated by injury problems and suspension issues, United produced a performance so good that a draw in European football's Mecca felt like a defeat. Even after manager Erik ten Hag, in his pre-match TV interview with the rights holders, confirmed that his side would go toe-to-toe with Barcelona, nobody could have predicted just how impressively United would perform.

After yet more Marcus Rashford magic led to the Reds getting their noses in front, taking a 2-1 lead on the stroke of the hour mark, it was only an in-swinging cross from Raphinha that evaded everyone inside the penalty area that denied United and Ten Hag a famous victory. As gut-wrenching as it was, United could be incredibly proud of their performance, particularly for the way they matched Barcelona stride for stride without a whole host of key players.

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Lisandro Martinez missed out through suspension. Christian Eriksen was absent because of his long-term ankle injury. Marcel Sabitzer, drafted in on deadline day to cover for Eriksen in his absence, was also unavailable because of a ban. Antony missed out. The list goes on.

United's approach and performance was one of a team that is being taught well and following instructions to the letter. Ten Hag, who is now cementing himself as an elite-level coach in the game, masterminded a performance so good that it actually created a feeling of excitement for what he could achieve at Old Trafford in years to come if given the right backing and