BADLY DRAWN MATCH REPORT #44 MANCHESTER UNITED vs BARCELONA

The famed FC Barcelona were the visitors at Old Trafford for this Champions League quarterfinal tie and United were getting ready to face their greatest test. Some players were more ready than others.

However United started far too tentatively affording Barcelona too much respect. Ole's plan to sit really deep & hit the Catalans on the break was in hindsight not his greatest tactical decision.

Unsurprisingly, United paid the price when Barcelona took the lead & a crucial away goal. Lionel Messi floated a ball to the back post which Luke Shaw heroically deflected into his own net to prevent a certain someone from scoring.

Barcelona's goal seemed to settle the home team down though as United started to go toe-to-toe with their opponents. With Anthony Martial on the bench Mike Smalling took it upon himself to dispense his own brand of martial law against the unsuspecting Leo Messi.

Scott McSauce was United's stand-out player as he put in an impressive all-round performance in midfield taking on the likes of Rakitic, Busquets & Messi. McSauce staked a good claim to become a first choice player under OGS.

However a familiar failing was on display at Old Trafford with United failing to score once again at home in the Champions League. It's now one goal in five outings. It could have been so different had Diogo Dalot converted a very presentable chance.

Whilst Ashley Young was, hopefully, presented the Gary Neville Memorial Retirement Walking Stick upon hearing the full time whistle. Let's just say this wasn't his finest game.

Let's just hope Ole & United still have their climbing equipment because Mount Camp Nou is not going to be an easy ascent.