Instead, at an electric and pulsating Camp Nou, all there was for the new United manager was an appointment with the greatest footballer of his generation, Lionel Messi, and an effortless Barcelonavictory and a possible semi date with Liverpool. Pre-match, the fact United have never won at the Nou Camp was offset by Solskjaer’s personal relationship with the stadium, where his winning goal won the Champions League for the club in 1999. Unfortunately, it took United and De Gea just four minutes to produce the gravest error possible. The second half opened with Messi still in the mood to make his point although, as he attempted to place Alba’s early square ball into the United net, Young blocked. Finally, after 61 minutes, a brilliant long ball from Messi was cushioned skilfully by Alba for Coutinho to send a spectacular 25-yard shot flying into the top corner of the United goal.

Source: Irish Examiner April 16, 2019 23:48 UTC