Manchester United star Marcus Rashford told BT Sport at full-time that the draw against Barcelona felt like a defeat.
United had led 2-1, before Barcelona scored what seemed like a lucky equaliser. But United had to cling on a little to see out the 2-2 draw in the end.
Erik ten Hag hit out at a ‘really bad decision’ after the game, via the club website, believing a foul should have been called for Jules Kounde bringing down Rashford on the edge of the box in the second half.
The only positive from that was how decisions balanced themselves out, with Barcelona feeling they should have had a penalty for a ‘handball’ by Fred.
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Jordi Cruyff and Xavi react
Barcelona sporting director Jordi Cruyff told Mundo Deportivo that he felt Barcelona should have had a penalty for the Fred handball.
He added that while the draw was a ‘fair result’, he felt Barcelona shaded it, and is optimistic they can win the second leg.
Cruyff said: “They looked like hands to us. When four or five players who are on the pitch have an instant reaction, you know there’s something. The surprising thing is that they haven’t even gone to look. We can’t complain, we keep working
“Both teams have had their moment of dominance and in the end I think it’s a pretty fair result, although perhaps in the last 15 minutes we were 3-2.
“I’m happy because away goals aren’t worth double, like before. That makes us start again at 0-0. For a neutral spectator, it’s great fun. The team has had character. I think we can win at Old Trafford.”
Cruyff’s comments were echoed by Barcelona boss Xavi, who also said he viewed Barcelona as the better team.
He told Mundo Deportivo: “We have matched them in intensity and in the final rush we have pulled away. I am proud of the team, because we have given everything. We can go there and win.”
He also vented his frustration at the non-penalty, commenting, “I don’t know what to do to get a handball whistle, they already took one away from us in Milan (v Inter). And they say that they have checked it, it seems incredible to me.”