Manchester United vs Barcelona LIVE result: Europa League reaction after Antony completes thrilling comeback

Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 on aggregate): The hosts trailed at Old Trafford thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s penalty but goals from Fred and Antony turned the tie around once again

'We have a winning mentality now' - Varane on United's improvement under Ten Hag

Manchester United produced a second-half comeback to defeat Barcelona FC and advance to the last-16 of the Europa League on a thrilling night at Old Trafford.

With the tie between two of European football’s heavyweights in the balance following a 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp last week, Robert Lewandowski fired Barcelona into the lead after converting a controversial penalty - despite a hand from David de Gea.

But Erik ten Hag made a crucial change at half time - replacing Wout Weghorst with Antony - and United improved immediately, with Fred firing in the equaliser from a smart touch shortly after the break.

And it was Antony who struck on 73 minutes to turn the tie around for United, with the Brazilian finishing a first-time shot into the corner to take the roof off Old Trafford.

Follow all the reaction after Manchester United defeated Barcelona in the Europa League play-offs:

Manchester United vs Barcelona

• FULL TIME! Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)
• Miguel Delaney: Thrilling Manchester United burst through Barcelona in vintage comeback
• Richard Jolly: Antony seizes chance as Erik ten Hag recaptures Manchester United’s spirit
• 73’ GOAL! Antony turns tie around with brilliant finish (MUN 2-1 BAR)
• 47’ GOAL! Fred equalises shortly after half time (MUN 1-1 BAR)
• 45’ CLOSE! Casemiro saves United with crucial challenge after De Gea error (MUN 0-1 BAR)
• 18’ GOAL! Lewandowski converts penalty to put visitors in front (MUN 0-1 BAR)
• 3’ CHANCE! Fernandes clear through but denied by Ter Stegen (MUN 0-0 BAR)

[23 February 2023 22:13 · Michael Jones]

Europa League play-off results

Manchester United are not the only team to go through the play-off round tonight.

Juventus, Sporting, Bayer Leverkusen, Sevilla, Union Berlin and Roma have all got through to the last-16 as well. Rennes vs Shakhtar Donetsk is currently in extra time as the sides are level 2-2 on aggregate.

Already through are the Europa League group winners. They are:

Arsenal, Real Betis, Fenerbache, Ferencvaros, Feyenoord, Freiburg, Real Sociedad and Union Saint-Gilloise.

[23 February 2023 22:10 · Michael Jones]

FT Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)

Manchester United have knocked Barcelona out of the Europa League. Who would have thought that would happen at the start of the season?

Erik ten Hag probably did.

[23 February 2023 22:07 · Michael Jones]

FT Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)

Manchester United have had 19 goals scored by substitutes in all competitions this season, the most of any big five European league side in 2022/23.

[23 February 2023 22:04 · Michael Jones]

FT Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)

Bruno Fernandes at full-time. I think he enjoyed that victory tonight.

(REUTERS)

[23 February 2023 22:01 · Michael Jones]

When is the Europa League last-16 draw?

The Europa League last-16 draw takes place this week as the group-stage winners are paired with the play-off winners in the knockout round.

Arsenal were among the eight clubs to win their Europa League group and are seeded for Friday morning’s draw.

Manchester United hope to join them as an unseeded play-off winner as their tie with Barcelona concludes on Thursday night after a 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp.

Here is everything you need to know:

[23 February 2023 21:58 · Michael Jones]

FT Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)

The Old Trafford crowd are still going wild. They really enjoyed that one and Manchester United feel like a dangerous team again. Erik ten Hag’s substitutions were well-timed and crucial to changing the game.

Antony came on at half-time and won the game for United who now advance into the round of 16. That seems like a massive win for the Red Devils.

Next up is the Carabao Cup final, will this group of players win their first trophy on Sunday?

[23 February 2023 21:56 · Michael Jones]

FT Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)

(PA)

(REUTERS)

[23 February 2023 21:54 · Michael Jones]

Full-time: Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)

90+5 mins: What a match, what a tie, what a result for Manchester United. They’ve comeback from behind to defeat Barcelona and storm into the Europa League last-16.

It was a magnificent second half performance from the home side and they were rewarded with goals from Fred and Antony. United have been the better side over two legs and they go through 4-3 on aggregate.

[23 February 2023 21:53 · Michael Jones]

Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)

90+3 mins: Off the line! Torres is played into space on the right wing once again. He slips the ball into the box for Lewandowski who beats De Gea with a dainty shot.

His effort is heading in but for Raphael Varane who gets back and scoops it off the line!

[23 February 2023 21:51 · Michael Jones]

Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)

90+2 mins: Ferran Torres is given the ball over on the right wing and takes the ball to the byline before lifting a lovely cross into the middle.

There are three Barca players waiting in the middle but none can control the header and it bounces away.