Manchester United's Erik Ten Hag showed another nearly perfect display against Barcelona at the Nou Camp stadium during their Thursday night Europa League knockout phase in Spain.
While critics were writing off the Red Devils' chances against a rejuvenated Xavi Hernandez's side, citing stats, past records against Spanish teams, and a depleted squad to prove a resurgent Manchester United can't stand a chance against the Catalans, Erik Ten Hag prepared his side to give the La Liga leaders something to worry about ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford.
The defense, which has conceded just seven times in the Spanish league so far this season, was dismantled on several occasions by a rampaging Manchester United, and the host struggled to contain the visitors' threats on Thursday night. Although they eventually pegged them back and were forced to defend after taking advantage of a misplaced pass from Manchester United's midfield,
Barcelona's fans will be worried about what their team will face when they visit Old Trafford next week. Thursday, the away fans made themselves audible and dominated the 90,000-plus Spotify crowd at the Nou Camp while their team gave a vintage display on the turf.
Then alterations in UEFA rule mean it's just a mere draw; otherwise, the traveling fans would have returned to Manchester United with another level of confidence and satisfaction while they anticipated the return leg in the City of Manchester. However, the fans are more than happy with the team's performance.
Their performance on Thursday night has also garnered plaudits from football pundits and former Manchester United players.
"I don’t think they [Barcelona] controlled the game," Hargreaves told BT Sport at full-time. "And that is a big thing for Xavi and Barcelona."
"It felt like in the transitions they were too vulnerable; they were too open." And it feels like there will be more of those situations at Old Trafford if they are going to play that way. "Maybe Garnacho plays; I think he will be perfect in that," Owen Hargreaves explained.
Manchester United's legendary midfielder Paul Scholes has heaped praise on his former side, claiming they looked like a proper team.
"I think they would have been happy with a draw before the game, but if you look at the way the game went and the chances they created, I thought United were really good tonight, especially in the second half," he told BT Sport.
"What a game to watch, so exciting. There wasn't a breath taken; both teams really went for it. "A bit of a throwback really when you look at it."
"Ten Hag said they were going to go for it, and he was right. "I don't think this is an amazing Barcelona team, but this game is now perfectly set up for next Thursday night."
"They look a proper team now. "To come to Barcelona and get a result like that is really good and as good as you can expect at this stage," he asserted.
Owen Hargreaves concurred with Paul Scholes on the team's performance on a night where they had been written off by the odds, stats, and critics.
"I think if anyone was doubting if United were the real deal or not, that just shows you."
"They came here and went toe-to-toe with Barcelona, the top team in La Liga, and put in a great performance [and] could have easily won the game," Owen Hargreaves explained.
Owen Hargreaves also praised Erik Ten Hag for his work at Manchester United during his first season in charge.
"That manager is instilling confidence in the players, the fans, and even us... It transmits the pitch. The players believe. "To come here and put in a performance like that, they were brilliant," the 42-year-old stated.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes further claimed that Casemiro's influence on the team was evident following his return to the team's starting line-up; the Red Devils have struggled in the last two Premier League games due to the Brazilian's suspension. Paul Scholes praised the 30-year-old, saying "the biggest plus is Casemiro," Scholes told BT Sport. "As soon as Casemiro came into this team, the team [was] transformed."
"He's almost like the manager on the football pitch; he's like a coach, doing the manager's job on there." "Especially with young players coming into the team today."
"I can't tell you how important it is to have that player in the middle of the pitch who's so dominant and stays there and plays the position perfectly." It gives everyone, even the attacking players, freedom."
"You know you don't have to be running back and sprinting -- well, you do sprint back, of course you do -- but you've just got that license to get forward and be creative, because you know there's that solid base of great experience from someone who's played for Brazil, Real Madrid, won so many trophies -- it's just brilliant to know what you've got behind you," Scholes explained.
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