"Changed my life", "Frenkie what's the score" - Twitter explodes as Manchester United seal famous comeback win over Barcelona
Manchester United's remarkable season under Erik ten Hag continued with a statement-making 2-1 win over Barcelona in the second leg of their Europa League Playoff. The Red Devils are through to the last 16 of the European competition and sealed their place in impressive fashion.
However, nervousness crept in during the first half as the Blaugrana were on top of proceedings. They conceded an 18th-minute penalty when Bruno Fernandes left a hand draping on Ansu Fati's shoulder. The Portuguese attacker was outraged but the spot-kick was awarded. Robert Lewandowski stepped up and scored his first goal at Old Trafford. Red Devils goalkeeper David de Gea got his fingertips to the ball but it flew into the back of the net.
Xavi's side were dominant in the first 45 minutes and Old Trafford's loud energy was brought to a halt as Ten Hag's plan wasn't going according to plan. The Dutch tactician must have torn into his troops at half-time. They were a different side in the second half, playing with the energy and spark that has captivated fans all season long.
It took them until just the 47th minute of the second half to score their equalizer. Fred, who was perhaps man-of-the-match, slotted home from the edge of the box after a neat ball from Fernandes.
Barca had a golden opportunity in the 64th minute when Jules Kounde was left by Jadon Sancho to meet Alejandro Balde's cross. His header was superbly saved by De Gea, who made up for a glaring mistake in the first half that nearly put the Blaugrana 2-0 up.
Antony was introduced into the fray at half-time for Wout Weghorst. He repaid his manager's decision with an exquisite finish in the 73rd minute. Old Trafford was raucous after the Brazilian winger guided the ball past Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to give Manchester United a 2-1 lead.
Xavi looked glum on the sidelines as his team were running out of ideas to get past a resilient United defense. Lewandowski had the best opportunity to equalize in the 90+4th minute. The Polish forward got past Casemiro and sent the ball toward goal, however, Raphael Varane was on hand to clear off the line.
Manchester United marched into the last 16 of the Europa League. They did so by beating the La Liga leaders. Ten Hag's incredible debut season at Old Trafford continues.
Fans mocked Frenkie de Jong as the Barca man snubbed a move to United last summer but has ended up on the losing side:
"(Manchester United) fans chant: "Frenkie, Frenkie, what is the score? (laughing emoji)."
While another couldn't thank Ten Hag enough for turning the Red Devils around:
"TEN HAG I F*****G LOVE YOU KING, YOUโVE CHANGED MY LIFE."
Here's how Twitter reacted to Manchester United's famous win over Barcelona:
TEN HAG I FUCKING LOVE YOU KING, YOUโVE CHANGED MY LIFE๐ญโค๏ธ
THIS MAN IS A GENIUS OMGGGGGG https://t.co/2IeGpmkoQ2
Never forget De Jong forfeited 2 years salary, settled for a pay cut to try and avoid Europa league with United only to be knocked out of the Europa league by United๐ญ https://t.co/iPhsGblome
Erik ten Hag told Manchester United fans to turn up because "we are SURE we will beat Barcelona together", and he DID it. Insane confidence.
MY FUCKING MANAGER!!! โค๏ธ https://t.co/pb4EtGpShG
We ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ have the best centre back pairing in world footballโฆ. ๐คฏ๐ฅถ https://t.co/xcBNNkmycC
๐จ๐จ๐๏ธ| #mufc fans chant: "Frenkie, Frenkie, what is the score?" ๐๐ฅ https://t.co/emRXs2EP3F
Let the Antony apologies be as loud as the disrespect https://t.co/tHeHLTZ1Eb
Fred's game by numbers vs. Barcelona:
100% dribbles completed
81% pass accuracy
21 passes completed
13 tackles
3 shots
2 clearances
1 interception
1 goal
What a performance. #mufc https://t.co/icaoIhiHjR
Barcelona were unbeaten in 18 games before they met Man United ๐
Frenkie De Jong really rejected us all summer to play Champions League football just to get knocked out by us in the Europa League. So poetic๐
Antony's game by numbers vs. Barcelona:
100% tackles won
11 passes completed
3 shots
2 shots on target
1 match-winning goal
Goals against Arsenal, Man City & Barcelona already this season. ๐ง๐ท https://t.co/LsYvVK2Uok
โ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐๐ฉ๐ถ๐ณ๐ด๐ฅ๐ข๐บ, ๐ธ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ช๐ญ๐ญ ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ข๐ต ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ค๐ฆ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ข ๐ต๐ฐ๐จ๐ฆ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ.โ
Erik ten Hag. He kept his promise โค๏ธ https://t.co/rku3Q0QpRv
Casemiro didn't bother getting involved. Man doesn't even trust himself ๐ https://t.co/AKt0Sm7MtB
The difference between last year against Atletico to this team now against Barcelona is unbelievable. Energy, belief, passion, skill, leaders, organisation... ETH๐ณ๐ฑ
Too soon to say Manchester United are back?
They don't care ๐ค https://t.co/3RN73SQDGg
Erik Ten Hag has been at Manchester United for seven months, he has already beaten:
XAVI ๐
Jurgen Klopp
Pep Guardiola
Mikel Arteta
Antonio Conte
Brendan Rodgers
He is cooking something up at Old Trafford. ๐ซก https://t.co/2rhYVdeSVF
barcelona shit
Piquรฉ: "I was watching the match. What a fucking ruin." https://t.co/4KFOHebYOq
Barcelona created just 0.88 xG from open play across both legs...
Meanwhile, Manchester United created 2.87. https://t.co/vS2Hl3Z5Db
https://t.co/c5Cpl9zLGr
.@DeJongFrenkie21 ๐ https://t.co/gZQ5p3Bame
Old Trafford is a fucking fortress now, you come to our Theatre, you lose. Simple asf
Our Portuguese guy.
#MUFC || #UEL https://t.co/Be0rKWlcfH
NO WAY GARNACHO DID THAT ๐ญ๐ญ https://t.co/5q293EsemW
Anyways, it's been fun, Manchester United! ๐ค https://t.co/F9Xe3b5aK8
Manchester United manager Ten Hag on how his side needed to beat Barcelona
Ten Hag was defiant that Manchester United would have to be at their best to beat Barcelona tonight. The Red Devils drew 2-2 with Barcelona on February 17. The Dutch coach said (via PlanetSport):
"We are sure when you face such big teams as Barcelona you have to play your best otherwise you don't have a chance. We want to get through, to go to the next round, so, really, tomorrow, really, we have to give the best performance from this season."
Ten Hag's side have beaten the Catalan giants for the first time since April 2008. It bodes well for the Red Devils heading into the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United on Sunday (February 26). Manchester United are firing on all cylinders and Ten Hag is overseeing an incredible campaign.