Manchester United manager Erik ten hag has likened his team’s 2-2 draw with Barcelona in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening to a Champions League fixture.

Manchester United traveled to Camp Nou in Spain for their UEFA Europa League play-off tie against Barcelona, who finished third in their UEFA Champions League group. The Red Devils also failed to top their UEFA Europa League group after finishing second behind Real Sociedad.

The first half failed to provide any goal as both sides went into the break goalless, but the second half did show a fixture between both sides who are former UEFA Champions League winners and, in fact, a fixture that has been used to the side the winners of Europe’s elite Club competition.

Marcos Alonso triggered a ten-minute scoring spree with the opener before Marcus Rashford scored the leveler two minutes later with his 13th goal in his sixteenth game since the World Cup.

A Jules Kounde’s own goal felt like the winner for Manchester United just before the hour mark, but Raphinha ensured that there is a lot to look for in the second leg next Thursday with a goal in the 76th minute.

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag praised the attacking prowess of both sides after the game.

“I think it was a great game. Two attacking teams; I think it was a Champions League game, even more than that, so I really enjoyed the game. In the end (it finished) 2-2, and we have to finish it in Old Trafford. Of course, I will credit Rashford definitely because he is in great form, but the whole team did well. I think it was a really good team performance. We have a lot of character and determination in this team.” Ten Hag said.

The second leg will come up next Thursday at Old Trafford after each side execute their respective league games.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu