Manchester United and Barcelona share the spoils in thrilling Camp Nou contest

Manchester United produced a pulsating European performance in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Barcelona at Camp Nou in the first leg of their Europa League knockout round play-off.

Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis

Erik ten Hag’s fearless and adventurous side were unfortunate to go behind in the contest but rallied immediately as quick-fire goals appeared to have set up a famous win, only to be denied late on before surviving something of an onslaught.

A United team that featured two former Real Madrid stars – Casemiro and Raphael Varane, both of whom were booed throughout – set up very aggressively and frequently breached a Barca defence that has been impenetrable in La Liga.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been in imperious form this season, conceding just seven times in 21 league matches, and he had to produce a number of good stops in the first half – notably denying Wout Weghorst when the Dutchman was put through one-v-one.

Barca had enjoyed dangerous spells in the match even if the best chance had fallen to United and shortly after the restart they took the lead from a somewhat unexpected scorer.

Former Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso, who had been selected at centre-back to mixed success, arrived unmarked at the back post from a corner and headed the ball past David de Gea.

United responded just two minutes later, however, and it was – inevitably – the brilliant Marcus Rashford who bagged his 14th goal in his last 16 appearances.

Fred had failed to pick up Alonso on the corner but he made amends with a perfectly weighted through-ball for Rashford, who fired a ferocious finish past Ter Stegen from an impossibly acute angle at his near post.

United were now getting more and more chances on the break and flipped the