Marcus Rashford’s inspirational second-half performance was not quite enough for Manchester United as Barcelona fought back to claim a 2-2 draw in their Europa League knockout round play-off first leg.
Rashford arrived at the Nou Camp with pre-match praise from both Erik ten Hag and Xavi ringing in his ears and the forward backed up the managers’ words by drawing Man Utd level, smashing a shot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen two minutes after Marcos Alonso had headed Barcelona into a 50th-minute lead.
Rashford helped to complete the turnaround seven minutes later when he skipped to the byline before drilling a tempting cross along the six-yard box that Jules Kounde could only chest into his own goal.
The Premier League team looked set to claim another famous win at the Nou Camp – the scene of their 1999 Champions League success – but Raphinha dashed those hopes when his inswinging cross found its way inside David de Gea’s far post to set up a tantalising second leg at Old Trafford next week.
Manchester United now turn their attentions back to the Premier League, with Leicester visiting Old Trafford on Sunday while Erik ten Hag’s side then host Barcelona in the second leg of their Europa League play-off on Thursday
Barcelona return to La Liga action on Sunday, with Cadiz visiting the Nou Camp