Erik Ten Hag Says Manchester United ‘Can Beat Anyone’ After Dumping Barcelona Out of Europa League

Manchester United ought to concern nobody of their quest to win 4 trophies stated supervisor Erik Ten Hag after beating Barcelona 2-1 on Thursday to progress to the final 16 of the Europa League 4-3 on mixture.

Robert Lewandowski’s early penalty had given Barca the right begin at Old Trafford.

But the La Liga leaders had been once more undone on the European stage as Fred levelled early within the second interval earlier than Antony delivered his largest second since arriving in Manchester from Ajax.

“Magnificent evening,” said Ten Hag, who has transformed United’s fortunes in his first season in charge.

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“That is another step because when you can beat Barcelona, your belief can be really strong because you are then able to beat anyone.”

The proven fact that two of the continent’s giants had been clashing at this stage of Europe’s second-tier competitors was proof that each have fallen on more durable instances lately.

But United are driving the crest of a wave as they continue to be within the hunt for trophies on 4 fronts.

The Red Devils might finish a six-year await silverware once they face Newcastle within the League Cup last on Sunday.

But they left nothing in reserve to safe their largest European scalp since dumping Paris Saint-Germain out of the Champions League final 16 in dramatic trend in 2019.

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“I believe we’ve some nice personalities on this staff,” added Ten Hag.

“Everyone has such a strong belief in this team, you can see it. With the subs they bring energy and quality, they bring a different dynamic in games.”

United are actually unbeaten at Old Trafford in 18 video games relationship again to September however had been compelled to return from behind for the second time within the tie.

Need to study from out errors: Xavi

Barcelona had been unbeaten in all competitions stretching again to October, once they had been dumped out of the Champions League group stage by the hands of Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

Despite their rise domestically beneath Xavi Hernandez to usurp Real Madrid on the high of La Liga, the Catalans once more got here unstuck in a giant European check.

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Barcelona additionally crashed out on the Champions League group phases final season earlier than dropping to Eintracht Frankfurt within the Europa League.

“My emotions had been actually completely different from final season,” said Xavi. “This year we have competed in every game apart from Bayern at home.

“For small details we haven’t won. We have to learn from our mistakes and improve.”

The guests even didn’t make the most of a present with the opening purpose.

Bruno Fernandes foolishly stretched out an arm to catch Alejandro Balde and French referee Clement Turpin infuriated Old Trafford by pointing to the spot.

David De Gea bought a hand to Lewandowski’s penalty, however the ball rebounded in off the publish on 18 minutes.

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Ten Hag responded by changing the ineffectual Wout Weghorst with Antony at half-time and bought the specified response inside two minutes.

Fernandes, restored to his most well-liked central midfield position, picked out Fred, who fired low previous Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

United nonetheless wanted a giant second by De Gea to stop the momentum swinging again in direction of the Catalan giants as he tipped over Jules Kounde’s header from point-blank vary.

Antony has flattered to deceive since being reunited with Ten Hag after an £86 million ($104 million) transfer from Ajax.

However, the Brazilian delivered a second of high quality befitting of that price ticket for the winner 17 minutes from time.

After Alejandro Garnacho and Fred noticed efforts blocked, the ball sat up properly for Antony to twist the ball past the outstretched arm of Ter Stegen.

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