Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said the referee made a "really bad decision" in not sending off Jules Kounde for a foul on Marcus Rashford during the 2-2 Europa League draw against Barcelona.
Marcos Alonso put the hosts ahead at Camp Nou shortly after the break before Rashford and an own goal by Kounde gave United the lead in the knockout round first leg at Camp Nou. Raphinha then levelled for Barcelona when his cross eluded David de Gea.
Ten Hag was furious in the second half when Rashford went down under a challenge from last-man Kounde but referee Maurizio Mariani waved away claims for a foul and VAR backed the decision. Barcelona equalised soon after.
"I think the refereeing had a big influence in this game. It was a clear foul on Rashy," Ten Hag said. "You can discuss if it’s in or outside the box, but then [if it's outside] it’s a red card, because he was one-on-one with the keeper. So it’s a big influence, not only on this game, but in this round.
"The referee can’t make such a mistake. I asked the referee why. He said it was outside the box and it was no foul. I said I think the linesman and the referee are in a very good position to see. We have the VAR. It was a really bad decision. I can’t understand – maybe they were impressed by the pressure Barcelona made but that can’t be at the highest European level.”
Despite his disappointment at the incident, Ten Hag was pleased with his team's performance. United dominated large parts of the game, particularly after Rashford's equaliser, and have put themselves in a good position ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford next Thursday.
“I think we dictated the game. Apart from maybe 15 minutes of the first half, we had some difficulties, but for the rest, we dictated the game and we outplayed [them]," Ten Hag said, "So many chances, so I was a little bit disappointed that in half-time it was 0-0 because we should have scored.
Barcelona v Man United player ratings
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BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 6 Solid throughout the first half and bailed out his side with a fine one-on-one block from Weghorst, but questions will be rightly asked about his near-post frailty for Rashford’s equaliser. AFP -
Ronald Araujo – 6 Eventful evening for the combative Uruguayan, who had the crowd up on their feet with his robust approach early on, but found himself outwitted more than once and was also fortunate that a penalty area lapse in concentration went unpunished by Sancho. AP -
Jules Kounde – 3 Switched back to a central position and lost Weghorst for big chance of the first half, then played Rashford onside for the forward’s quickfire equaliser. Capped a patchy display by deflecting in United’s second goal from close-range and fortunately avoiding a penalty for fouling Rashford. AP -
Marcos Alonso – 7 Made a crucial early block from Fernandes’ close-range shot. Continued his fine scoring record against United by heading in the opening goal, then made another key block to preserve parity as the visitors hit back. Removed in a triple substitution as Xavi looked to claw his team back into the tie. AP -
Jordi Alba – 6 Heavily involved in the opening exchanges as Barca targeted United’s right flank. Had one surge and shot curtailed by a fine last-ditch Wan-Bissaka block, then returned the favour in the second period when the ball broke to the visiting right-back. Booked for dissent after 30 minutes. EPA -
Frenkie De Jong – 6 A mixed bag from the man United spent all summer tailing. Wonderfully calm in possession, pinged a fine through-ball for Lewandowski which the Pole wasted, but didn’t have enough answers in the defensive side of the midfield battle and often found himself bypassed during the visitors’ period of pressure. PA -
Franck Kessie – 4 Ineffective for long periods, allowing United to gain a foothold in the game. Couldn’t provide an adequate shield for his side’s rejigged defence and it was unsurprising when Xavi hooked him after falling behind. AP -
Raphina – 8 Posed Malacia problems all night and put in a fine defensive shift. Clearly determined to excel and almost broke the deadlock with a sensationally crisp effort just after half-time. Slung in a decent back-post corner for Alonso’s opener, then drew a superb full-length catch from De Gea before levelling with a wicked cross which crept into the far corner. Rightly furious to be substituted. PA -
Pedri – 7 A bright display cruelly curtailed by injury. Fired over with an instinctive volley after Gavi’s inventive lobbed pass and looked a fruitful outlet for the hosts’ attacks before an apparent thigh injury prompted an end to his involvement. Getty -
Gavi – 6 Put Wan-Bissaka in nervy mood early on with his lively, direct running. Not afraid to shirk a challenge and had one miniature skirmish with Fernandes. Booked for yanking back Fred during a second-half United counter and will sit out the second leg as a result. Getty -
Robert Lewandowski – 6 Tested De Gea with a powerful early effort, but passed up a more inviting opening midway through the first period by failing to control De Jong’s incisive ball. Fizzed a decent free-kick just over the bar as the hosts looked to get back in the game. Reuters -
SUBS: Sergi Roberto (Pedri, 41) – 5 Joined in place of the injured Pedri but couldn’t match the youngster’s invention in a low-key display. He was, however, involved in almost winning the first leg late on as the ball ricocheted off De Gea’s upright. Getty -
Andreas Christensen (Marcos Alonso, 67) – 6 Introduced while the hosts were rocking defensively and helped steady the ship. AP -
Ansu Fati (Franck Kessie, 67) – 6 Had one powerful late effort well pawed away by De Gea and had an effort just wide from the edge of the box. Keen to make things happen. Reuters -
Alejandro Balde (Jordi Alba, 67) – 5 Youngster was on the fringes of the game from his introduction, but came alive in injury-time and began causing issues for United. Ferran Torres (Raphinha, 83) – N/A. AFP -
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 7 - Strong near post save from Lewandowski early on. And from Alba on 37 minutes. Busy second half. Will be frustrated to watch Barcelona’s second goal again, but while he didn’t touch it, Lewandowski was a decoy. Saved from Ansu Fati as Barça pushed for a winner. AP -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6 - Blocked a dangerous 10th minute ball across, then got forward on the right on 26, beat his man and crossed towards Sancho. Slack collecting a 37th minute ball, which Alba won, but recovered well. Ball went across his arm and Barcelona players appealed for a penalty. Getty -
Raphael Varane 7 - Booed when his name was read out and invoked further jeers when he grappled with Lewandowski. Booked after clipping Gavi, who’d beat him. Watched as a Raphinha effort went past him and Lewandowski into the goal. Could have done better there. AP -
Luke Shaw 7 - Tough night against Lewandowski and Raphinha. Blocked a shot from Pedri and presence was enough to stop Lewandowski attempting a first-half shot. Turned away a De Jong effort after the break. Poor ball out to Casemiro before Barcelona’s second goal. AFP -
Tyrell Malacia 6 - Dangerous down the left at the start and Raphinha struggled to get the better of him, which frustrated home fans. Booked in a game where Barcelona had 18 goal attempts and United had 17. AFP -
Casemiro 8 - Jeered for his association with Real Madrid, he glanced a 29th minute header towards goal. Booked. Lost the ball to Kounde before Barcelona’s second. He was excellent and gave the bullets which helped United’s attackers be so effective, but that was a bad error. Also struck the ball against his own post. Getty -
Bruno Fernandes 7 - Started with intent and a cross towards Fred in the opening seconds. Free-kick in after 29 was met by Casemiro’s head. Backflick across goal led to equaliser. PA -
Wout Weghorst 6 - A surprise as he was selected in a midfield role, which he worked hard at. Important moment came after 27 when he was clear through. Ter Stegen made himself big, but he should have scored. AFP -
Fred 7 - All over the place. Smashed by Kessie in a 28th minute challenge. Alonso got behind him to put the Catalans ahead. He and Gavi – who was booked for pulling him - were two bulls in the same pen. Sent Rashford away to score the second. Confident and shot wide from outside the area on 67 after winning the ball. AFP -
Jadon Sancho 6 - Right position to meet a first half Wan-Bissaka cross, but messed it up on a night when Erik ten Hag said his side should have scored four goals. Cursed himself after shooting wide on 48. Alert and won possession back after 77. EPA -
Marcus Rashford 9 - Lively all first half. A 33rd minute shot was scooped wide by Ter Stegen. Got the equaliser on 53, beating Ter Stegen at the near post. Dribbled along byline to create the second. Appealed for a penalty after being brought down by Kounde. Sliced a shot wide on 80. Getty -
SUB: Alejandro Garnacho 6 - On for Sancho after 81. The headlines were waiting to be written, but the man from Madrid couldn’t win the game in Barcelona. PA
"The opportunities they had, we created by ourselves. But I think it was a great game, two attacking teams, I think it was really Champions League [level] and even more than that. So I really enjoyed the game a lot. In the end, 2-2, and we have to finish it at Old Trafford.”
Rashford was again at the centre of much of United's best attacking play, scoring his side's first with a superb narrow finish for his fourth goal in a row, before setting up the second by beating Raphinha with ease before his low cross forced the own goal.
The England international has now scored 22 goals in all competitions this season, and Ten Hag heaped praise on the forward.
“He is so unstoppable at this moment, such a high belief for scoring goals, which we are happy with of course," the United manager said. "But credit to the team as they get him every time in the right position.
"As I said before, we have other players who can score – Bruno, Jadon can score as well. Wout, of course, and they will score. In the end, it doesn’t matter who scores but we have to score, as you say, in such a game when you create five, six or seven 100 per cent chances. You have to finish them more than that so it’s quite clear.”
After a breathless match in Spain, United must now turn their focus back to the Premier League and a potentially tricky encounter against a resurgent Leicester City on Sunday.
“I can’t think about that [the second leg] in this moment. I think about Leicester, it’s all about Leicester," Ten Hag said. "It’s a big game again and they are in good shape. They have two wins in a row so I know it’s going to be a tough game but we have to be ready. If we are ready we have a good chance to win.”
