Barcelona manager Xavi congratulated Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag after the two sides drew 2-2 in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie on Thursday night.
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| Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag and Barcelona manager Xavi, congratulate each other after the Europa League match between the two clubs ended 2-2 at the Camp Nou. Photo: @ManUtd |
Former Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso headed home from close range. Despite going a goal down, United responded well and levelled proceedings through Marcus Rashford just two minutes later.
It was the Reds who got the next goal to take a 2-1 lead, with a low-driven cross from Rashford deflecting off Jules Kounde and past Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the Barcelona goal. United appeared as though they were heading towards a famous victory at Camp Nou, but Raphinha made it 2-2 in the 76th minute.
“Appreciation tweet” ⬇️
This is a Marcus Rashford appreciation tweet. pic.twitter.com/FBIVKGC0rg
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 16, 2023
“It was a really tough game, really difficult, with a lot of intensity, passion, rhythm,” Xavi told BT Sport. “We have to be proud because we compete really well until the end. We could have won in the last two chances but we played today against a top team in Europe.
“I think Manchester is coming back, and today they showed their best version. We compete really well, we need to be proud, and now we need to compete well in Old Trafford.
Rio Ferdinand says Rashford is “deadly” ⬇️
@MarcusRashford is on smoke 💨
He is on a new level, a level he hasn’t been at until now, a level of consistency he hasn’t been able to stay at until now.
A fit, Focused, direct, confident, deadly & potent Rashford is not to be messed with!— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) February 16, 2023
“I said to Ten Hag now congratulations because he is doing very well and they are Manchester United.”story: ManchesterEveningNews
All games and results ⬇️
| Uefa Europa League – Games and Results – Thursday 16 February, 2023 |
| Barcelona 2-2 Manchester United |
| Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Rennes |
| Ajax 0-0 Union Berlin |
| Salzburg 1-0 Roma |
| Juventus 1-1 Nantes |
| Sporting CP 1-1 FC Midtjylland |
| Bayer Leverkusen 2-3 Monaco |
| Sevilla 3-0 PSV Eindhoven |
