Six memorable moments in the second half as Manchester United beat Barcelona 2-1

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Manchester United’s win over Barcelona was a victory supporters will look back on fondly for years, especially fans lucky enough to be in attendance at Old Trafford.

While the first half was a frustrating, forgettable one which had a familiar feeling of defeats to Spanish teams, Erik ten Hag was able to turn it all around.

Here is a look at six memorable moments from a fantastic second half which we should savour…

Fred’s equalising goal

Fred scored instantly in the second half after a slick team move involving Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes. Whether he hit it with his shin or hit boot, he directed the ball perfectly into the bottom corner.

This moment left Barcelona shell-shocked and changed the momentum of the game. Fred’s goal was his fifth of the season and was another illustration of his ability to impact big matches, after an assist in the Nou Camp.

Bruno Fernandes crashes the ball into Frenkie de Jong

Bruno Fernandes gave the game a spark by booting the ball into a prone Frenkie de Jong. He claimed he had not heard the whistle and earned a booking for his troubles.

This sparked a mini-melee, and worked to United’s favour. It helped stir the crowd and throw Barcelona off their game.

For United fans frustrated by De Jong’s choice to reject the club last summer it was satisfying too.

Shaw keeps the ball alive for Antony’s winner

Antony’s winner was the moment he dreamed of before the match, keeping a cool head when the ball broke to him inside the box. Instead of slamming the ball as hard as possible, he passed it into the back of the net in front of the Stretford End.

There was some excellent play leading up to the goal too, with Luke Shaw chasing down a lost cause to keep the ball in play, leading to the chance being created after a blocked shot.

• READ: Five things we learned as Manchester United beat Barcelona 2-1

David de Gea’s diving save

David de Gea produces a world class save at least once per game and this match was no different. He dived at full stretch to deny a Jules Kounde header from point blank range.

The Spaniard had come so close to stopping Robert Lewandowski’s first half penalty. He was unbeatable from open play with the Kounde save the best of the night.

Garnacho draws Busquets into a foul

Sergio Busquets carved out a reputation at Barcelona as a master of gamesmanship over the years. He was outdone by Alejandro Garnacho.

Garnacho’s speed and breakaway pace led to Busquets hauling him down. Garnacho made the most of it, rolling around on the floor – just like the Barcelona player would have done at 2-1 up.

Raphael Varane’s block

Barcelona came so close to equalising at the death and sending the tie to extra time, so they thought.

Raphael Varane’s last-ditch defending blocked a shot on the line to deny Lewandowski, and Manchester United’s players celebrated with him like he had won the match.

There was later a call for offside in the lead-up to the move, but United’s players or fans did not know that at the time, and who knows with VAR. Seeing Varane’s block play out in real time was a special moment.