Manchester United vs Barcelona: Sergio Busquets should have been sent off, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

United have another mountain to climb in this year’s Champions League after losing the home leg of their quarter-final tie

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was disappointed that Sergio Busquets was not sent off during Manchester United's 1-0 defeat by Barcelona on Wednesday night.

United have another mountain to climb in this year’s Champions League after losing the home leg of their quarter-final tie against the Catalans.

Luke Shaw’s 12th-minute own goal made the difference on the night and came in a full-blooded first half, which saw fierce challenges from players on both sides.

Busquets was not punished for an early foul on Scott McTominay, with referee Ginaluca Rocchi choosing to keep his cards in his pocket.

The Barcelona midfielder was not so fortunate later on in the half when a challenge on Paul Pogba forced Rocchi into a booking.

Solskjaer warned his players to be wary of “streetwise” tactics in his pre-match press conference and after the game, he felt Busquets was lucky to remain on the pitch.

“It’s just that consistency,” he added. “There’s nothing we can do about it. I can’t complain about the referee.

“We haven’t had any ‘homers’, you might call it. We can’t complain. We are where we are.

“He will play against us over there. We have to go there with the same belief and same energy.”

United reached the quarter-finals by winning 3-1 away to Paris Saint-Germain, overturning a 2-0 first-leg defeat and qualifying on away goals.

Though Barcelona’s margin of victory was smaller, Solskjaer admitted that victory in the Nou Camp would be more difficult than in Paris and, by extension, a greater feat.

Sergio Busquets escaped punishment for an early foul on Scott McTominay (Getty)

“The PSG performance away gives us hope and belief we can do it but we are playing against probably the favourites in the tournament,” he admitted.

“Going to the Nou Camp will be a challenge. It will be a greater achievement, winning that one, because of the history of Barcelona.

“They’re not used to losing at home. We can do it, no doubt. We know we carry a goal threat.”