Man Utd manager boasts club can beat any side after beating Barca
At half-time, United were heading out of the competition after Robert Lewandowski converted from the penalty spot
Dutch manager Erik ten Hag claimed that Manchester United think they can now beat any team in the world after they stunned Barcelona to advance to the last 16 of the Europa League.
At half-time, United were heading out of the competition after Robert Lewandowski converted from the penalty spot following a foul by Bruno Fernandes.
But spurred on by a buoyant crowd at Old Trafford, United blew Barcelona away in the second half and put themselves in the hat for this morning’s round-of-16 draw thanks to goals from Fred and Antony.
Ten Hag agreed it was the biggest win of his nine-month tenure as United boss.
“I think so, yes,” the Dutchman said. “We’ve had some good wins, like Liverpool and Arsenal at home, but I think this tie over two legs against Barcelona [is better]. Barcelona is the leader of La Liga — eight points ahead of Real Madrid, so if we beat them, it is a big win.
“It was a magnificent night. When you can beat Barcelona — one of the best teams in this moment in Europe — your belief can be really strong because then I think you are able to beat anyone.”
Ten Hag’s decision to replace Wout Weghorst with Antony at the start of the second half proved to be the catalyst for this famous victory. It was the 16th time that Ten Hag had made a half-time substitution this year, underlining the fact that he is not afraid to make decisive calls in big matches.
United were far more dynamic with Marcus Rashford up front than the ineffective Weghorst, and Alejandro Garnacho, a 67th-minute replacement for Jadon Sancho, also impressed.
“When you bring Antony and Garnacho on, you get speed and you get running behind,” Ten Hag said. “You get dribbles and you get belief, and they are so brave. Both of them — they don’t care, they don’t fear anyone.”
Ten Hag highlighted Fred’s performance over the two legs, praising the often-criticised Brazil midfielder for the man-marking job he did on Frenkie de Jong.
“He had to play as a mosquito around Frenkie de Jong, and he did it magnificently,” Ten Hag said of Fred. “Last week he gave a brilliant assist for Rashy [Rashford] in Barcelona and today he scored a goal. He had a brilliant performance.”
Fernandes put his team’s chances in jeopardy in the 18th minute when he tugged Alejandro Balde’s arm in the United box and the French referee Clement Turpin pointed to the penalty spot. “I think the penalty was too soft,” Fernandes, the United captain, said.
Xavi was philosophical about the defeat, which brought Barcelona’s 18-match unbeaten to an end. The Barcelona head coach lamented the absence of Gavi and Pedri, who were unavailable due to suspension and injury.
“We missed Gavi and Pedri in the second half,” Xavi said. “They are key players for us. But we can be proud of how we performed against a very good side. United were tremendously intense in the second half. Hopefully we can learn from this and come back next season.”
