Erik ten Hag referenced Real Madrid's crushing victory over Manchester United's arch-rivals, Liverpool, after his side beat Barcelona to advance to the Europa League last 16.
The Red Devils came from behind to defeat Barca 2-1 at Old Trafford and 4-3 on aggregate on Thursday night. The result came two days after Liverpool suffered a humbling 5-2 drubbing at home by Los Blancos in the Champions League, giving up a two-goal lead as their defence was torn apart.
Remarkably, Real Madrid are eight points behind leaders Barca in the LaLiga title race, making United's victory over the Catalan club even more impressive. A buoyant Ten Hag went out of his way to reference this fact during his post-match interview on another historic European night for his club.
"Barcelona are the leader of La Liga - eight points ahead of Real Madrid," he said on BT Sport. "We have seen what Real Madrid did this week. I think it's a big win, yes, that we beat them (Barcelona)."
These comments came after Ten Hag declared the victory over the five-time European champions was the greatest of his blossoming tenure in the United hot seat. He said: " We've had some good wins - Liverpool and Arsenal at home - really good wins, but I think this [is the best] over two legs, one tie."
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United had their backs against the wall for much of the first half but the introduction of Antony for Wout Weghorst at the interval helped turn the tide in his side's favour. Alejandro Garnacho also made a profound impact after coming on for Jadon Sancho in the second half, following Fred's equaliser to cancel out Robert Lewandowski's penalty-spot opener.
"That was one of the parts, of course, one of our game plans," Ten Hag said of his substitutions. "We know if we can bring Antony, we can bring Garnacho, you get speed and you get running behind. You get dribbles and you get belief.
"And they are so brave, both, they don't care, they don't fear anyone, especially when you go to the Stretford End, they take players on and run in-behind, and I think that gives a push to the whole team."
Fred has often been singled out for criticism in recent seasons but brought United level with a right-footed - and slightly scuffed - effort from the edge of the area a matter of seconds after the restart. " What he can do really well is make runs in-behind at the right moment, the timing," Ten Hag said of Fred. "He can get behind the midfielders of Barcelona and that was part of our game plan in Barcelona and again now. I think it was really effective to make that from the second line, the runs."
