Barcelona Get Win Off-Manchester United With A Luke Shaw Deflection
Barcelona overcame a tame Manchester United via a Luke Shaw own goal to record their first ever victory at Old Trafford in an European competition.
Manchester United looked like they had everything in control and under their belt until leader of the orchestra, Lionel Messi got through with an overhead flick to Luis Suarez who headed home via a deflection off the shoulders of Luke Shaw with 12 minutes on the clock.
Barcelona’s goalie, Marc Andre Ter Stegen had his gloves as clean as ever with no shots to save from an attacking Manchester United who lacked the cutting edge or finesse in front of goal.
United must have De Gea to thank for saving their blushes in the 36th minute when he superbly saved a shot from the fiery boots of Philippe Coutinho. Oh and did we mention that David did so with his feet?
Barcelona could have add another but Luis Suarez snuck the ball into the side netting from a good position before David De Gea kept out Jordi Alba’s low drive with his feet once more.
Manchester United struggled for most parts of the first half but were much improved after the break though without making any clear-cut chances.
That said, the combo of Smalling and McTominay must be praised and heralded for mastery in the art of keeping Lionel Messi quiet.
The Argentine struggled for space but both Smalling and McTominay marked all the available gaps to keep out Messi from making those defence-slicing touches with Jordi Alba and Coutinho.
Speaking of this bullying of the five-time Balon D’Or winner, Chris Smalling left Messi with a bleeding nose after a robust but fair challenge.
Messi looked strangely quiet for the remainder parts of the game after his face was rearranged by the English centre-back.
United started the second forty-five minutes on the front foot holding the ball for most parts of the half and looking threatening even though they still remained blunt as ever.
Ernesto Valverde in a bid to get in control of the ball introduced Arturo Vidal and Dembele but the best the former could achieve was force yellow cards off United players and getting one himself.
Manchester United 0-1Barcelona it ended.