Rashford rules as United rock Barca

M2 2 arcus Rashford lit up the Nou Camp as Manchester United and Barcelona played out a rip-roaring 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Europa League knockout play-off clash.

Rashford scored his 22nd goal of the season and fizzed in the cross that Jules Kounde turned into his own goal as United responded superbly to Marcos Alonso’s 50thminute opener for Barcelona.

Raphinha’s cross found its way into the net to peg them back and sparked a breathless conclusion to a wild tie, setting up a mouthwatering return fixture at Old Trafford next week. Erik ten Hag’s players heeded his request to take the game to the runaway LaLiga leaders, who had Marc-Andre ter Stegen to thank for keeping the first leg goalless at half-time.

Bruno Fernandes brilliantly put Wout Weghorst through but the on-loan frontman could not beat the goalkeeper.

Barcelona took the lead five minutes into the second half as former Chelsea defender Alonso rose to head home a corner.

But Ten Hag’s men are made of stern stuff and Rashford is in the form of his life, with the forward thumping home from an acute angle and then sending over a ball that Kounde turned into his own goal.

It was a mightily impressive display but United were not to end with a 2-1 comeback win at the Nou Camp like 1999, with Raphinha’s dangerous cross going in – perhaps via a slight Robert Lewandowski touch.

United boss Ten Hag was less than impressed by the officiating.

He said: “The refereeing had a big influence in this game. I think it was a clear foul on Rashie (Rashford). You can discuss if it is inside or outside the box. If it is (outside), then it is a red card. It is a big influence not only on this game, but in this round. A referee cannot make such a mistake.”

Ten Hag praised England forward Rashford and the efforts of his side.

“He is in great form,” the United boss said. “The whole team did well.

“It was a really good team performance. We had a lot of variation.

“We had a lot of opportunities and we should have won this game.”

Rashford told BT Sport: “It felt like a loss. We did well to get back into the game, stayed calm and composed.

“We tried to create chances when we could and we scored two quick goals, then felt in control of the outcome, but they are a top team and managed to get an equaliser.

The England striker felt it was a “massive moment” in the game when a big decision did not go United’s way.

“I have not watched it back, but I don’t understand why the linesman or the referee thinks I am going down there?” Rashford said.

“I have touched it past him, my foot is in front of the ball and he hits my leg. It is clear contact and was 100% a foul.”

Rashford added: “Hopefully the second leg is going to be another good game and we can go that one step further.”

LEVEL BEST: The Red Devils are denied a famous victory at the Nou Camp as Raphinha gets Barca’s equaliser.