A straight line to the Europa League last-16, in effect, and in nature. That’s the only way to describe a pulsating Manchester United performance, where the devastating directness of their running brought Barcelona a volley of problems they couldn’t handle as well as, ultimately, elimination. Erik ten Hag might still say this 2-1 victory wasn’t his ideal football, but it was impressively thrilling, all the more so for how it involved a vintage European comeback. The most striking element of this game, beyond the contrasting passiveness of Barcelona, was just how fast United are.
Racing ahead on this occasion was substitute Antony, who was fast enough to bring two comebacks – one for his team, one for himself. The Brazilian enjoyed a moment he has waited long enough for, scoring a brilliant volley to add to Fred’s equaliser.
