Manchester United vs Barcelona talking points: Fred typifying Erik ten Hag’s transformation | Football News

Fred typifying Ten Hag’s transformation

Manchester United’s momentum continues and the road to Budapest becomes clearer with this famous victory, their first since 2008 against Barcelona. It was a brilliant team turnaround underpinned by heroic defending and behind it all another sterling performance from Fred.

A roar of thunder echoed around Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag walked off the stage himself. Reassembled and showed again how it can change the game. Against Leeds, against Leicester and now here with Barcelona who haven’t read the script in the first half.

It’s a voice that hasn’t been heard as loudly in the decades the club has been in the doldrums. After the summer, it is possible that the two, dominated by the talk of Frenkie de Jong joining Manchester United, will be the replacements who will surpass him in the second half.

“His role is to stop Frenkie de Jong, and become like a mosquito all. And that’s it. A brilliant performance,” said Ten Hag afterwards.

Winning 13 of their 16 matches this season – losing to Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Real Madrid – Barcelona have been better than their hosts.

But Fred, starting a seventh game in a row without Christian Eriksen – absent until mid-April – will drag his side by the horns and turn United’s direction.

Only Marcus Rashford (17) has scored more goals for Manchester United at Old Trafford this season than Fred (5), whose strike also set up Antony’s decisive winner.

There are other important players at this stage of course. Casemiro’s influence was felt, David de Gea stepped up to block Alex Balde. In the words of Roy Keane, great players just do their jobs.

But Fred has become a fall guy too often. Never. Not according to Ten Hag. Back in the box itself to head clear in stoppage time, moments later start the press from the front.

‘Fred, Fred will tear you apart again’, sang at the Stretford End.

“It’s so nice to hear your name being chanted by the fans,” Fred said, losing his mind with a smile as the sobbing grew louder. “It was a good game, but we have to keep going.”

Fred’s transformation epitomizes everything that is great about the Manchester United Ten Hag, on his return. And to Wembley.
Ben Grounds

Bruno’s own response helped inspire Man Utd

Bruno Fernandes recounts the history of Manchester United’s great comeback after the match against Barcelona. He came up with his own impressive response Friday night.

After shooting directly at Marc-Andre ter Stegen early on when he looked ready to score and then giving away an unnecessary penalty for a tangle with Alejandro Balde, Xavi’s player was simply “the Portuguese” had a night to forget. .

But in the end, he will be at the heart of the statement winning United. For the goal, it was a whipped pass that allowed Fred to convert and it was his quick feet that caused problems that led to Antony’s conversion.

Since his Man Utd debut in February 2020, only four other players have been involved in more goals in Europe’s top competitions – Mohamed Salah, Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski. He stepped up there with his best attacking output and looked a real threat when he was moved to play No10.

But Fernandes is also about the fire he brings to this team. Wearing the captain’s armband, he is the leader of this side with his attitude – and adds an edge, which is evident when he talks to Xavi or plays the ball at Frenkie de Jong. That moment could be an interesting conversation if De Jong arrives as a new signing at Carrington in the summer.

The first half of Man Utd’s season was dominated by the talk of another Portuguese. But this one will be key to the success of the front four in the run-in.
Peter Smith

Half-time change won for United

Manchester United have scored 19 goals by substitutes in all competitions this season, the most of any team in Europe’s five biggest leagues. Antony will rank as one of the most important and comes after the important switch by Erik ten Hag in the interval.

Wout Weghorst has started all 11 games since joining United last month and is clearly a favorite among his teammates. But Ten Hag was ruthless enough to recognize that something wasn’t working and a quick exchange at half-time helped his team turn the tie around.

Bruno Fernandes moves to the center, Jadon Sancho returns to the left. Rashford gets up front and provides that threat at the back. Antony plays on the right. It works. Fernandes set up the equalizer after roaming down the left. Antony scored the winner.

Ten Hag had felt he had no choice for much of the time he was in charge. No doubt he will want more next season. But he has shown himself to be able to understand what is needed in the game and find solutions. It made the difference against Barcelona.
Adam Bate

Martinez shines as Man Utd competes on all fronts

Facing one of the best No 9 in the world seems to have fallen to Lisandro Martinez more times than he cares to remember this season.

He has fought Erling Haaland and Harry Kane in the Premier League, Kylian Mbappe on his way to a World Cup winner’s medal. On Thursday, he faced Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and came out on top.

Although Lewandowski scored from the penalty spot, he was absent. The goal scored was the only shot of the game and did not create any other chances. He has an xG of 0.79.

Martinez has had a huge impact on keeping Barcelona’s forwards calm, as well as the rest of the talented – if not missing – Barcelona team. He won three of four tackles, made four clearances and won 70 percent of ground duels.

At one point in the first half, with the ball at his feet, Martinez motioned for his teammates to calm down and keep their cool. And that’s how he played – laser focused on clearing every ball, making interceptions and preventing Barcelona from spoiling the Old Trafford party.

It was an impressive performance from a player who continues to grow into his role at Manchester United. If he has a chance to win silverware this season – remember, he’s still in all four competitions – Martinez will say it’s a success.
Charlotte Marsh