Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said he knows what needs to be done to maintain intensity for the blockbuster Europa League clash with Barcelona on Thursday.
United and Barca played one of the most dramatic matches of the season in the first leg of their knockout stage playoff last week where Marcus Rashford lit up Camp Nou in a 2-2 draw.
Though both teams are used to competing at Europe's top level - the Champions League - they still put their best foot forward in the competition that sits one level below.
The highly-anticipated match lived up to its billing as Rashford scored his 22nd goal of the season and fizzed in the cross that Jules Kounde turned into his own goal as United responded well to Marcos Alonso’s 50th-minute opener for Barcelona.
However, Raphinha’s cross found its way into the net to set up a sizzling return fixture at Old Trafford on Thursday.
While keeping his cards close to his chest, Ten Hag insisted he has an “idea” that will help his team prevail.
“What we do different you will see tomorrow on the pitch,” Ten Hag said.
“We have an idea. We all want to play big games, big matches. When we were young, we dreamt of it. We are really enjoying it, we are really looking forward and enjoying it. We have to give our best.
Barca 2-2 Manchester United 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
“It is not about [us getting] credit, it is about trophies. The next focus is always on the next game. We have to keep in the same mindset that every day we want to give a better version of ourselves.”
United finished with their lowest ever Premier League points tally last season (58) and have not won a trophy since 2017, but Ten Hag has restored hope, with the 20-time top flight champions just five points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Speaking at the same news conference, defender Raphael Varane explained the changes that have sparked a turnaround.
“I think first of all it is the confidence,” Varane said. “Secondly, it is discipline. Tactically we know exactly how we want to play, to manage the game.
“With a little bit more experience and the mentality of competition we have already improved a lot, and that is maybe the difference.”
Robin van Persie was a key member of United's last title-winning side and was an interested observer at Wednesday's pre-match press conference.
The former Netherlands international was at Carrington to interview Ten Hag, who was pictured ahead of the game having dinner with United great Sir Alex Ferguson in Wilmslow.
“It's massive,” the Dutchman said of the opportunity to spend time with Ferguson. “I always enjoy to speak with people who have a lot of knowledge, a lot of experience.
“He wants to share it, so he wants to help, he wants to support. You feel Manchester United is his club. He feels so committed and he wants that we are doing well.
Ten Hag also added that captain Harry Maguire and Brazilian forward Antony have returned to fitness and could feature against Barca, but French striker Anthony Martial is still out.
Barcelona will be without talented midfielders Pedri and Gavi following the first leg, whereas Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer are available having been suspended for the first leg in Spain.
