Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Europa League knockout round play-off against Barcelona, despite Marcus Rashford’s inspirational second-half performance.
Rashford turned up at the Nou Camp with pre-match admiration from both Erik ten Hag and Xavi ringing in his ears, and the forward responded by drawing Manchester United level, smashing a shot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen two minutes after Marcos Alonso had given Barcelona a 50th-minute lead.
Seven minutes later, Rashford completed the comeback by skipping to the byline and drilling a tempting cross along the six-yard box that Jules Kounde could only chest into his own goal.
Man United appeared to be on course for another famous victory at the Nou Camp, the site of their 1999 Champions League triumph, but Raphinha dashed those hopes when his in swinging cross found its way inside David deGea’s far post, setting up a tense second leg at Old Trafford next week.
Manchester United’s focus now returns to the Premier League, with Leicester visiting Old Trafford on Sunday. On Thursday, Erik ten Hag’s side will host Barcelona in the second leg of their Europa League play-off. On Sunday, Barcelona returns to La Liga action when Cadiz visits the Nou Camp.