Barcelona are an opponent to be feared and respected, so it was a huge ask to turn the scoreline around. However, Ole Gunnar Solskjær‘s teams seem to revel in the improbable. United put on a scintillating display of attacking football in the second half with Bruno Fernandes producing two magical goals and leading from the center of the park. Indeed, if there was ever a night where belief in a higher power could be seen on display in English football then this was surely that night. United fans can now dream of European glories that were once thought obsolete and yet here they stand; underdogs no more!
Despite trailing Barcelona in the first-half, Manchester United stayed resilient and kept their focus, continuing to hold the majority of possession in the second-half. While Robert Lewandowski’s goal from the penalty-spot gave Barcelona a first-half lead, it seemed that Man United had found a response to being without Gavi and Pedri. Slowly but surely they advanced forward, creating chances around Barcelona’s goal and attacking with determination right until full-time. It might not have ended in a win for them last night, but there is potential for an upset as the second leg of the tie approaches.
United brought the house down at Old Trafford after coming alive in the second half with Fred finding the equaliser in an electric moment. Antony was the hero of the night with a curling shot from outside of the box to find the winner and put United ahead in the tie. The dramatic finale saw Barcelona push for their own winner, with Raphael Varane amazingly clearing Lewandoski’s effort off the line in stoppage time to guarantee a memorable victory that sent waves of excitement across Europe. United had faced adversity but came out on top in one of their greatest European nights in recent years.
Manchester United have kept their dreams of more silverware this season alive by advancing to the Carabao Cup final, but for Barcelona there is now no choice but to focus on La Liga. This might be just what they need since, with the distraction and pressure from other competitions gone, they can pour all of their energy into clinching the title. Barcelona were already contending for La Liga’s top spot, so if all their attention is now directed there, the odds may soften and make the dream of reclaiming first place a reality for them in 2021.
