Manchester United vs Barcelona LIVE result: Europa League reaction after Antony completes thrilling comeback

Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 on aggregate): The hosts trailed at Old Trafford thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s penalty but goals from Fred and Antony turned the tie around once again

'We have a winning mentality now' - Varane on United's improvement under Ten Hag

Manchester United produced a second-half comeback to defeat Barcelona FC and advance to the last-16 of the Europa League on a thrilling night at Old Trafford.

With the tie between two of European football’s heavyweights in the balance following a 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp last week, Robert Lewandowski fired Barcelona into the lead after converting a controversial penalty - despite a hand from David de Gea.

But Erik ten Hag made a crucial change at half time - replacing Wout Weghorst with Antony - and United improved immediately, with Fred firing in the equaliser from a smart touch shortly after the break.

And it was Antony who struck on 73 minutes to turn the tie around for United, with the Brazilian finishing a first-time shot into the corner to take the roof off Old Trafford.

Follow all the reaction after Manchester United defeated Barcelona in the Europa League play-offs:

Manchester United vs Barcelona

• FULL TIME! Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)
• Miguel Delaney: Thrilling Manchester United burst through Barcelona in vintage comeback
• Richard Jolly: Antony seizes chance as Erik ten Hag recaptures Manchester United’s spirit
• 73’ GOAL! Antony turns tie around with brilliant finish (MUN 2-1 BAR)
• 47’ GOAL! Fred equalises shortly after half time (MUN 1-1 BAR)
• 45’ CLOSE! Casemiro saves United with crucial challenge after De Gea error (MUN 0-1 BAR)
• 18’ GOAL! Lewandowski converts penalty to put visitors in front (MUN 0-1 BAR)
• 3’ CHANCE! Fernandes clear through but denied by Ter Stegen (MUN 0-0 BAR)

[23 February 2023 21:21 · Michael Jones]

Man Utd 1-1 Barcelona (3-3 agg)

63 mins: United get in behind again thanks to Antony’s pace, Raphael Varane is even getting up the pitch with the attack. Antony brings the ball into the box, cuts onto his left foot then drills a shot into the nearest defender.

A wasted opportunity in the end.

[23 February 2023 21:19 · Michael Jones]

Man Utd 1-1 Barcelona (3-3 agg)

60 mins: Yellow card to Bruno Fernandes. Frenkie De Jong goes down as Aaron Wan-Bissaka tries to tackle him, the ball comes loose and Fernandes rattles it into the falling De Jong.

The Barcelona players think he’s done it on purpose and swarm the Man Utd captain. Sergi Roberto leads the charge. After a bit of argy bargy and squaring off Fernandes and Roberto both go in the book.

[23 February 2023 21:16 · Michael Jones]

Man Utd 1-1 Barcelona (3-3 agg)

57 mins: United’s equaliser has changed the complexion of this game. Barcelona’s only shot on target was Robert Lewandowski’s penalty. The Spaniards were expert at controlling possession when they were leading but now they’re the ones chasing the game.

Fred brings the ball down the left wing and flicks a forward pass into the feet of Rashford. Rashford flies into the box and pulls one across the six-yard area but there’s no-one there and Frenkie De Jong scoops it clear.

[23 February 2023 21:11 · Michael Jones]

Man Utd 1-1 Barcelona (3-3 agg)

54 mins: These long balls are working brilliantly for Man Utd. Christensen fails to properly clear the dropping pass and Rashford takes over.

He drives into the box from the right wing but runs into trouble and guides a half-hearted effort into the side netting.

[23 February 2023 21:09 · Michael Jones]

Man Utd 1-1 Barcelona (3-3 agg)

51 mins: What a rapid start to the second half from Man Utd. The extra pace of Antony looks to have given the hosts an added dimension.

A reminder that if the game ends in a draw at 90 minutes then there will be extra-time and potentially penalties. The away goals rule is no longer in force in European competition.

[23 February 2023 21:08 · Michael Jones]

Man Utd 1-1 Barcelona (3-3 agg)

49 mins: What a chance! A long ball comes up the pitch and Antony gets in behind Andreas Christensen. He storms into the box and looks for Rashford on the opposite side of the area.

Christensen recovers and lunges into a tackle that knocks the ball back onto Antony before flying out of play. Great defending.

[23 February 2023 21:06 · Michael Jones]

GOAL! Man Utd 1-1 Barcelona (3-3 agg) - Fred 47'⚽️

47 mins: Just what Manchester United needed! Old Trafford goes crazy as United win the ball high up the pitch. Jadon Sancho sends it to Bruno Fernandes who squares the ball to Fred.

His first touch takes him into the box before a right footed strike beats Marc-Andre ter Stegen to level the match and the tie.

[23 February 2023 21:03 · Michael Jones]

Second half: Man Utd 0-1 Barcelona (2-3 agg)

Erik ten Hag has made a change at the break. Wout Weghorst is off with Antony being brought on. Rashford should take the striker possession with Sancho pushed to the left and Fernandes playing as the 10. Will it work?

Barcelona get the ball rolling for the second half with the same personnel on the pitch.

[23 February 2023 21:00 · Michael Jones]

HT Man Utd 0-1 Barcelona (2-3 agg)

There were a few errors and simple mistakes in that first half from Manchester United. They were thrown off after the penalty was awarded and need to get themselves back into the game.

They have tended to perform better in the second half of games this season so there should be a resurgence in the second half.

[23 February 2023 20:57 · Michael Jones]

HT Man Utd 0-1 Barcelona (2-3 agg)

Robert Lewandowski has scored 25 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona this season, the 12th successive campaign in which he’s netted 25+ goals at club level.