Luke Shaw had said that this would show Manchester United where they are, just how real their revival is, and Barcelona felt much the same way. The answer may not be conclusive yet, and they’ll have to wait a week to find out whether or not they are even in the Europa League proper, but on Thursday at least, it was clear: somewhere fun. When Ronald Araújo leapt to head the final chance, it was the 35th attempt of what turned out to be an open, enjoyable and unexpectedly wild night. Three of them went in. A third that wasn’t supposed to also did.
Marcos Alonso scored the first and Marcus Rashford the second on a night where he scared an entire stadium every time he set off, before a Jules Koundé own goal seemed set to send United into the second leg with the lead. For a while, in fact, it appeared it would set them up to go through with a game to spare. Barcelona looked beaten and Erik ten Hag would be left lamenting lost opportunities – four clear chances in the coach’s calculation – and a penalty appeal that went unheard at 2-1.
