Barcelona in pole position as Man Utd fail to shine at home

Manchester United vs Barcelona: match report

It was billed as two giants of European football clashing at the Theatre of Dreams. As it turned out, it was an interesting, but far from spectacular affair. Ernesto Valverde couldn't have expected an away game at one of the Premier League 'big boys' to be so comfortable, with the early set up of United making a clear statement that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted to still be in the tie by the time they kicked off at the Camp Nou on Tuesday. A few breakaways aside, there was rarely much in terms of creativity coming from those in red shirts.

Lukaku and Rashford were there to give strength and speed to the United attack, with support offered from the likes of Dalot and Young wide, and Pogba through the middle. The French World Cup winner added very little, while the crosses from either flank were far too easily defended. Changes came later in the game, but neither Martial nor Lingard had many opportunities to show their value, and across the 90 minutes the home side failed to get a shot on target. The most damage caused was to Lionel Messi's nose, when a stray Smalling arm had the Argentine needing attention.

in the end, without being particularly impressive themselves, it was the visitors who got themselves on the scoresheet, and it came very early on. A ball lofted over the defence was met by Messi and, as his control took him away from a shooting opportunity, he instinctively lobbed the ball to the back post where Suárez had sneaked in unmarked. His header was going across goal towards the incoming Coutinho but took a nick off Luke Shaw's arm and bounced into the net. It's an away goal that means United will need more of the fortune that went their way in Paris. With Valverde in a position to rest players this weekend, and with Dembélé likely to be back, the semi-final beckons for the only Spanish representatives in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Manchester United vs Barcelona: how it happened 

Manchester United vs Barcelona: preview

What a mouthwatering game we have ahead of us tonight at Old Trafford. Two of Europe's heavyweights step into the ring, both attempting to hand their opponent a decisive blow before meeting again in the second leg at Camp Nou next week. Their respective corners contrast with the experienced visiting manager Ernesto Valverde setting out his stall against the relative new-kid on the block, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Their chosen line-ups could prove key.

Manchester United

Unlike their Spanish opponents, The Red Devils still have plenty to battle for in the Premier League. Currently in sixth place in the table, they are striving not to be one of the two 'big six' to miss out on the continent's top competition next season. Of course, if they are unable to make the top four, another route is by lifting Ol' Big Ears in May. Somehow they overcame PSG when they had looked outclassed for much of the two legs. Their big players will have to flex their muscles, against a side that is once again dominating LaLiga.

Barcelona

With the domestic league already in the bag, Barça can put all their focus on winning another European Cup, something that their talisman Lionel Messi has made clear is his dream. Despite a relatively comfortbale Liga run - many commentators have put this more down to a drop in their rivals' level than being exceptional themselves - Valverde's side have shown they have frialties. But an impressive win over Lyon in the previous round, and a confidence boosting victory in their top-of-the-table clash at the weekend, mean the blaugrana come into this fight as clear favourites.