Barcelona 2-2 Manchester United: Player Ratings

Barcelona and Manchester United clashed in the Europa League knockout stages tonight in a game that attracted well over 90,000 people at the Camp Nou.

Both teams pulled up with a few surprises in their starting lineup, with Xavi opting to use Marcos Alonso in central defence, while Jordi Alba was given the nod over Alejandro Balde at left-back.

Wout Weghorst started as the no. 10, while Bruno Fernandes was used on the right-wing. Erik ten Hag handed the striker keys to Marcus Rashford.

Amidst all this chaos and confusion, though, the two teams produced a genuinely exciting game for the neutral. While the chances were far and few in between, the sheer technical quality, coupled with some evident rivalry at display made for an exciting 90 minutes.

Eventually, an exciting 2-2 was all she wrote and Raphinha and Marcus Rashford headlined their respective teams in the first leg.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen: 8

Ter Stegen should have done better to save Rashford’s goal, but without him Barcelona could have conceded at least five.

Ronald Araujo: 8

Rock solid in defence, but a huge liability in the first-phase of buildup as Sancho and Rashdord continued to press him deep. Should have been shifted to central defence much earlier.

Jules Kounde: 5.5

Painfully clumsy throughout the game, Kounde almost scored an own goal in the first half. Was caught out a time or two in the second half as well, and eventually was on the receiving end of an own goal – his second in three games.

Marcos Alonso: 7

Should not have started the game, and was evidently no match for Rashford in defence. Did score the opening goal of the game, to his credit.

Jordi Alba: 7.5

Did well to attack, almost completely dictating the attack from the left, but could not find a runner to save his life.

Pedri: 6

Subbed out in the first half due to injury. Barça lost all control as he went out.

Frenkie de Jong: 5.5

Decent in the first half, but an absolute pressing trigger in the second. Lost out to Casemiro and Fred multiple times.

Franck Kessie: 4

Barely visible.

Raphinha: 9

Raphinha was Barcelona’s best attacker in the first half, and continued that trend in the second with a goal and assist to his name. Deserved to play through the 90 minutes.

Robert Lewandowski: 7

Did well to hold up the ball, but should have been far more unselfish with his passing.

Gavi: 7.5

Caused a ton of trouble to Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the press, and kept winning second balls against the toughest of opponents. Moved to midfield later and was still brilliant.

SUBSTITUTES:

Sergi Roberto: 2

Made one decent cross after coming on, but absolute invisible after that. Could not get away from United’s press and his one-footedness made life tougher for his teammates in midfield.

Alejandro Balde: 5

A few decent runs here and there, but nothing substantial. Should have started, though.

Andreas Christensen: 5

Again, should have started. Decent after he came on.

Ansu Fati: 7

Fati tested David de Gea better and more frequently than Lewandowski. Came close to scoring the winner, too. Solid cameo.

Ferran Torres: N/A

Came on too late to warrant a rating.