Kick-off: 2000, 23/02/2023
Stadium: Old Trafford
TV: BT Sport
Manchester United and Barcelona served up a classic 2-2 draw at Camp Nou in the Europa League and more of the same is expected in the second leg.
Barca enjoyed 61 per cent of the possession in Spain, but each team had 18 attempts on goal in an entertaining end-to-end encounter.
United created the better chances and should have more of the ball at Old Trafford, where they are unbeaten since September and have won 14 of their last 15 games.
We’re taking the Red Devils to win in regular time at 27/20 as our initial Man Utd vs Barcelona prediction.
Manchester United Odds
United fell behind to a Marcos Alonso header but red-hot Marcus Rashford levelled and then played a big part in Jules Kounde’s own goal.
Barca hit back when Raphinha’s cross evaded everyone and sneaked inside the post, while Casemiro hit his own woodwork in a thrilling finale.
Erik ten Hag told BT Sport: “I think it was a great game between two attacking teams.
“I think it was a Champions League game, even more than that, so I really enjoyed the game.”
Rashford’s pace troubled the Barca defence all night and he followed that up with a double strike in Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat of Leicester at this venue.
Since the World Cup, Rashford has scored 16 times in 17 outings, netting in nine of 11 home fixtures.
Looking at the Man Utd vs Barcelona odds, we like 9/4 for Rashford to hit the target again in a Red Devils victory.
FC Barcelona Odds
Barcelona obviously warrant respect and have an excellent record against United, beating them in the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals and winning on their last visit here in 2019.
The Catalan giants were poor in Europe’s elite club competition this term but are currently eight points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
Sunday’s 2-0 home win over Cadiz made it seven straight victories in that division, plus they beat Real 3-1 in last month’s Spanish Super Cup final.
It is hard to forget how easily United carved open Barca’s defence at Camp Nou, though.
Ten Hag felt his side created up to seven “100 per cent chances” and could not believe Kounde avoided a red card for bringing down Rashford.
Let’s add 16/5 for a home win and both teams to score to our Man Utd vs Barcelona betting tips, along with 8/1 for the Red Devils to prevail 2-1.
Additional stats
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