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 Erik ten Hag and Xavi ringing in his ears. 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.
Man Utd 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 in-swinging cross found its way inside David de Gea’s far post to set up a tantalising second-leg at Old Trafford next week.
