Manchester United beat Barcelona in Europa League clash of giants

MANCHESTER: Manchester United got the better of Barcelona to progress to the last 16 of the Europa League as Antony's winner secured a 2-1 win on the night and 4-3 aggregate victory on Thursday (Feb 23).

Robert Lewandowski's early penalty had given Barca the perfect start at Old Trafford.

But the La Liga leaders were again undone with the step up to the European stage as Fred levelled early in the second period before Antony delivered his biggest moment since arriving in Manchester from Ajax.

The fact that two of the continent's giants were clashing at this stage of Europe's second-tier competition was evidence that both have fallen on harder times in recent years.

But United are riding the crest of a wave in Erik ten Hag's first season in charge as the Red Devils remain in the hunt for trophies on four fronts.

United could end a six-year wait for silverware when they face Newcastle in the League Cup final on Sunday.

But they left nothing in reserve to secure their biggest European scalp since dumping Paris Saint-Germain out of the Champions League last 16 in dramatic fashion in 2019.

United are now unbeaten at Old Trafford in 18 games dating back to September but was forced to come from behind for the second time in the tie.

Bruno Fernandes missed a glorious chance to give the home side the lead inside three minutes when his angled drive was repelled by the foot of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Barcelona was unbeaten in all competitions stretching back to October, when they were dumped out of the Champions League group stage at the hands of Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

Despite their rise domestically under Xavi Hernandez to usurp Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, the Catalans again came unstuck in a big European test.

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