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Manchester United showed they are the 'real deal' against Barcelona in the Europa League, says Owen Hargreaves
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Published 16/02/2023 at 21:14 GMT
Many had Manchester United as the underdogs in their Europa League playoff first-leg tie against Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Thursday evening, but they secured a 2-2 draw and more than held their own. Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves praised the performance from Erik ten Hag's side ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford next week.
Ten Hag - We should have scored four and Rashford was definitely fouled
Video credit: SNTV
Owen Hargreaves believes Manchester United showed that they were the “real deal” after their 2-2 draw with Barcelona.
La Liga leaders Barca started as the favourites in the first leg of the Europa League playoff tie at the Nou Camp.
Marcos Alonso opened the scoring on 50 minutes but Marcus Rashford hit back two minutes later with a powerful strike to beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen at the near post.
Jules Kounde put the ball in his own net just before the hour mark to give United the lead, only for Barcelona to grab a late equaliser through former Leeds winger Raphinha.
Both sides will feel they have a chance of progressing in the second leg, played at Old Trafford next Thursday.
Former United midfielder Hargreaves believes the result shows progress made under manager Erik ten Hag.
"If anyone was wondering if Manchester United are the real deal or not, that just shows," Hargreaves told BT Sport.
"They came here and went toe-to-toe with Barcelona. They could have easily won the game.”
Former United midfield colleague Paul Scholes reflected on an end-to-end, frenetic match that reflected well on both sides.
He added: “What a game to watch. So exciting. There just wasn't a breath taken. It was a bit of a throwback really.
“This game is perfectly set up for next Thursday.”
Scholes said he thought United would have been content with a draw before the game, but added: "If you look at the way the game went, the chances they created, I thought United were really good tonight, second half especially.
"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."
The winner of the tie advances to the last 16 of the Europa League.
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