Manchester United looked out of their depth against Barcelona this evening, thanks to a marvellous display from Lionel Messi, the Catalan giants won 3-0.
It looked like United could mimic their heroics in Paris after a promising opening ten minutes to the game, United couldn’t make it last and Messi stunned them in the 16th minute with an excellent goal. Take a look at it here.
You could tell that it wasn’t United’s night when David De Gea made a costly error in the 20th minute, which saw Messi double his side’s lead. Take a look at it here.
Liverpool fans will love the fact that Philippe Coutinho rubbed salt into the United wounds by scoring a sensational strike in the 61st minute. Take a look at the wonderful effort here.
With all respect to United and Solskjaer, they simply had no chance of putting a stop to Barcelona’s frightening attack. Messi and Co. just have too much firepower for the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Ashley Young.
United already had a mammoth task ahead of them, but with Messi in magical form – their hopes of winning tonight’s tie looked impossible.
To top it off, this was United’s biggest ever European defeat since two-legged ties were introduced:
4 – Manchester United have lost on aggregate by four or more goals in a two-legged European knockout tie for the first time in their history (0-4). Eliminated. #FCBMUN pic.twitter.com/CdguMkaWo6
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 16, 2019
Some fans singled out Ashley Young after the defeat, whilst the 33-year-old was outclassed today, the fault can’t all be placed on his shoulders. Young should be commended for transitioning to full-back in recent years, the England international has at least tried and the same can’t be said for some of his teammates.
Check out some reaction to United’s performance and Young’s in particular below:
TOTAL OVERHAUL REQUIRED.
I MEAN TOTAL OVERHAUL.The difference is quality is simply unreal
— Vishnu (@Vishnu29517444) April 16, 2019
1-0 – Ashley Young awful as always, Chris Smalling shows Messi on his left foot.
2-0 – David De Gea howler. I have no words.
3-0 – Chris Smalling shows Coutinho on his right foot.
Completely shot ourselves in the foot tonight. Let us all down.
— J.A.O (@JuanAnderOnly) April 16, 2019
I will be telling my therapist about the performances Ashley Young has put in for this club tomorrow
— Greg Marshall (@GregMarshall94) April 16, 2019
See now we all talk about signing the big names the big personalities yet when we do that look at our results still? Look at this Ajax team how many big names? Egos? And they’re flourishing. Playing good football. As a team.
Get over big names it doesn’t work anymore. #MUFC
— Waz ? (@wazzz_r) April 16, 2019
Get Ashley Young out of my club btw.
— Waz ? (@wazzz_r) April 16, 2019
young should just retire
— vivivynaReloaded (@vivivyna1) April 16, 2019
Interesting how Ajax and United have progressed since the Europa League final two years ago, especially when considering the money spent / players sold by each club…
— Digital Jerseys (@Fasn_Designs) April 16, 2019
Smalling & Jones vs Messi & Suarez. Ole’s not just at the wheel, but he’s got a great sense of humour as well!
— Erik (@fotballexpert1) April 16, 2019
An overhaul is needed in this team, half of the players need to be gone in the next transfer window
— DeGeneres Queen™ (@Rejoice_Kay) April 16, 2019
Pogba is the laziest player I’ve ever watched. His heads already elsewhere.
— ItzRyda (@ItzRydaa) April 16, 2019
Half the squad needs to be sold. So many players nowhere near good enough
— Matt (@matt_johnson_89) April 16, 2019
No more Ashley Young please!
— I Fahmi (@iyliaafahmi) April 16, 2019
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must switch his attention to firing up his side for their battle for a finish in the top four. The Red Devils first step on that mission comes against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.
