Erik ten Hag says Manchester United "can beat anyone" after seeing his side beat Spanish giants Barcelona 2-1 to seal a place in the Europa League last-16.
United are still in the hunt for four trophies thanks to substitute Antony, who scored the winning goal after Fred's strike had cancelled out Robert Lewandowski's first-half penalty.
Victory at Old Trafford over a team eight points clear at the top of La Liga meant United took the tie 4-3 on aggregate and puts their hat in the ring for Friday's draw.
“It was a magnificent night,” Ten Hag said. “I think it is brilliant when you can beat Barcelona, eight points ahead of Real Madrid in La Liga and we have seen in this week Real Madrid playing.
“We have the potential to beat the big teams, we have shown we can beat [Manchester] City, we can beat Arsenal, we can beat Liverpool. If we do the right things, if we follow the rules, if we follow principles and show discipline and team spirit, I think this team can achieve a lot."
Man United v Barcelona ratings
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David De Gea 7 - Got his hand to Lewandowski’s penalty. Awful ball to Sergi Roberto after 44 minutes, but he got away with it. Dived to tip a Kounde header after 63 and made another save a minute later. Getty -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 8 - Everywhere in the first 10 minutes – on the left and the right – and he even came inside to help midfield. His foul led to Fernandes being booked, but continued to be a threat from right back. Getty -
Lisandro Martinez 7 - Floored by a Sergi Roberto challenge in his own area after 12. Floored Lewandowski 14 minutes later. Hit long cross field passes forward. Fine tackle on Raphinha after 62. Aggressive, first to the ball so many times. Reuters -
Raphael Varane 8 - Quick, cleans up well, peerless positioning. An clearance when the ball was running towards Lewandowski was vital. Blocked a 93rd minute Lewandowski shot. Top level performance for a top-level player. AFP -
Luke Shaw 7 - Incredible backheel helped create the Antony goal. Reuters -
Casemiro 8 - Released Fernandes for United’s first attack after two minutes. Some of his passing was sublime. Badly fouled by Lewandowski after 71. Booked for a foul on the same player after 85. Big game for a big game player. AFP -
Fred 8 - Inadvertently volleyed just over on 36, then shinned the equaliser past Ter Stegen straight after half time. Yet another goal for him in front of the Stretford End – and involved for the second. Work rate unmatched. Reuters -
Bruno Fernandes 8 - Played on the right in the first half and had United’s first shot on goal, a big chance but he struck it straight at Ter Stegen. Conceded a penalty on 14, pulling on Balde. Weak volley on target on 22. Another assist – to set up Fred for the equaliser. Booked for smashing ball at De Jong. Won ball in lead up to winner. AFP -
Jadon Sancho 6 - Quiet in a central role in the first half. Better when he moved wide in the second. Reuters -
Marcus Rashford 7 - Difficult time against the outstanding Araujo in the first half, but livelier in the second. Closest he came to score was after 80 when he hit a shot wide. Looked tired when he came off. Reuters -
Wout Weghorst 5 - Played as a No 9 but his contribution to the team in the first half was minimal beyond working hard. Conceded fouls and no surprise when he was brought off at half time. AP -
SUBS: Antony 8 (On for Weghorst 46’) - Made an immediate impact, forcing Balde to defend. His speed allowed him to win a long ball from Casemiro. Shot on target from distance on 54. Defended well, scored the winner after 75. PA -
Diogo Dalot 7 (On for Wan-Bissaka 67’) Straight into a battle with Balde, stretching him with Antony. Reuters -
Alejandro Garnacho 8 (On for Sancho 67’) Had a shot in the lead up to the winner. Booked for a tackle on Kounde after 77. Exciting, mature on his decisions. Too hot for Busquets, who fouled him and was carded. PA -
Scott McTominay N/A (On for Rashford after 87’). Brought as United tried to shut up shop and protect their lead. Getty Images -
BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen 7: Good block with his leg to deny Fernandes very early goal. No chance with Fred or Antony finishes. EPA -
Jules Kounde 7: Poor pass led to United counter-attack that almost ended with Fernandes opening the scoring but, otherwise, he was excellent dealing with Rashford in first-half. Antony made his life more difficult in second. Denied first Barca goal when De Gea tipped header over bar. AP -
Ronald Araujo 6: A tale of two halves for Barca’s defence that looked rock solid in first-half but struggled after break as United targeted their high line with great success. AP -
Andreas Christensen 7: Former Chelsea defender looked so assured in the opening 45 minutes but found United’s increased energy and pace problematic in second. Good block to stop Garnacho putting United in front, only for ball to eventually drop for Antony who did score. AP -
Alejandro Balde 7: Caught way out of position on left in first few minutes that allowed Fernandes free run and shot on goal. Pulled down by Fernandes to earn team a penalty. Certainly better going forward then defensively. AP -
Sergio Busquets 8: Veteran midfielder’s positioning and reading of game rescued Barca on a couple of occasions, sweeping up well in front and behind the defence. Booked for cynical pull back on a flying Garnacho. PA -
Frenkie De Jong 7: Long-term United transfer target was immense in first-half when he gave masterclass in box-to-box midfield work. But caught napping just after break allowing Fred to ghost in behind him and level the scores. EPA -
Franck Kessie 7: Looked like he might make it 2-0 just before half-time but shot blocked by Casemiro. Drilled strike from distance straight at De Gea in 64th mnute. PA -
Sergi Roberto 6: Almost gifted free shot on goal just before half-time after awful De Gea pass out from back but denied by Casemiro tackle. Booked for kicking-off with Fernades after Portuguese booted ball at De Jong. Not his usual influential self for Barca. AP -
Robert Lewandowski 6: Scored from spot in first ever appearance at Old Trafford to put Barca into early lead, although De Gea almost kept it out. Booked for foul on Casemiro. Denied late goal by Varane goalline clearance. Reuters -
Raphinha 5: First-leg scorer curled shot over bar from edge of box in opening five minutes, blasted one way over bar five minutes before break. Disappointing game from former Leeds attacker. EPA -
SUBS: Ferran Torres (On for Roberto 69’) 5: Former Man City player was booed by home fans on his introduction and couldn’t produce anything to help silence them after coming on. PA -
Ansu Fati (On for Raphinha 75’) 5: Dangerous player but made little impact. Reuters -
Marcos Alonso (On for Araujo 82’) N/A. Reuters
Brazilian forward Antony scored the winner against Barcelona after coming on as a substitute at half time for the ineffectual Wout Weghorst.
"Everyone has such a strong belief in this team and the fight in this team," Ten Hag said. "You can see it with the subs, they are coming on and bringing energy and quality and a different dynamic in games.
"I think all the subs, not only in this game but in many games before, did brilliantly."
Barcelona had one foot in the last-16 draw as they controlled the first half, but only had Lewandowski’s penalty to show for it.
They were unable to match United’s intensity after the break, but boss Xavi did not leave too disappointed.
“I think we lacked that calm and patience, we started the second half really badly, we were dominating the game and controlling it,” he said.
“We needed more more patience and more game management, we lost some duels and those finer details in the second half.
“We could have been more intense, we have lost a couple of duels, but in my point of view we lacked a little bit in our game. We were without Gavi and Pedro and in the second half that is where you saw the difference.
“In general we can be proud with how we have competed and shown our face against a really big side. It is a shame because we had an excellent first half. Now we need to concentrate on the league and cup.”
