Barcelona vs Manchester United live score, updates, highlights as Robert Lewandowski goes close in Europa League

By | February 16, 2023
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Barcelona’s visit to Manchester United is the pick of the ties as the UEFA Europa League returns with eight knockout round playoff matches.

The winners of the two-legged encounter will qualify for the Round of 16 of the Europa League, while the losers will be out of European competition.

United are third in the Premier League, five points off the top. Barca have an eight-point lead in first place in La Liga.

The Sporting News is following the match live and providing live score updates and commentary.

MORE: Barcelona vs Man United history: Head-to-head matches, last meeting, team records ahead of Europa League clash

Barcelona vs Manchester United live score

  1H 2H Final
Man United 0 — —
Barcelona 0 — —

Goals:

Barcelona vs Man United live updates, highlights from Europa League

Half-time: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

“We spoke about big chances and being clinical when they take them,” United legend Paul Scholes tells BT Sport of that superb chance for Wout Weghorst from a Bruno Fernandes through-ball.

“That is a big chance. I still think United will get more of them.”

Half-time: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

Barring a goal, that was as entertaining a half as you’d expect between two teams in the hottest form in Europe and at the right ends of La Liga and the Premier League.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen and David de Gea have bailed their sides out in the face of several bright attacking moments at either end, the United goalkeeper keeping Robert Lewandowski’s fierce effort out before Wout Weghorst was denied with the best chance of the half after breaking clear.

Marcus Rashford also saw a goal-bound shot well-saved by Ter Stegen and Jordi Alba has been a persistent source of danger on the flank for the hosts. More in the second half, please!

44 min: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

The newly-introduced Sergi Roberto doesn’t provide a great advertisement for his right to start more games, spurning a crossing chance from a decent position with United backtracking.

41 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

Bad news for Barca: with no-one around him, Pedri goes down clutching his upper leg and has to be replaced by Sergi Roberto.

The youngster had been at the centre of a couple of his side’s most dangerous moments.

38 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

It’s seven shots apiece in this half now – a reflection of how well United have come back into this game after Robert Lewandowski had the best early chance.

36 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

Now David de Gea is back in action at the other end! Aaron Wan-Bissaka carelessly gives the ball to Jordi Alba in a dangerous position, who’s trying to pull the trigger when his marker and the United goalkeeper combine to thwart him, appealing for an infringement in vain.

34 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

Marc-Andre ter Stegen saves Barcelona from going behind! Marcus Rashford latches on to a lofted pass inside the penalty area on the left and, from a tight angle, shows the confidence he’s currently playing with by opening up his body and steering a curling shot towards the far post.

The goalkeeper is off his line and leaps into action to apply a vital fingertip to the ball, arcing it wide.

32 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

United have now had two fine opportunities from crosses in quick succession. Casemiro couldn’t convert an inviting delivery from the left, and now Varane can only head well over the crossbar from a corner from the right.

28 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

Golden chance for Wout Weghorst! The targetman breaks free of the Barcelona defences but can’t prod his finish beyond the advancing Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who gets a leg to the attempted finish and diverts it away.

United should be ahead and have Barca on the ropes!

26 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

United almost score! Aaron Wan-Bissaka rumbles industriously down the right and does well to pick out a short pass to Jadon Sancho inside, who bobbles a shot towards the far post.

The effort takes a touch off Frenkie de Jong, almost diverting it beyond Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s reach. The goalkeeper looks relieved as it goes behind for a corner.

24 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

Marcus Rashford looks poised to make one of those long runs the length of a half he’s specialised in this season.

The in-form United forward is frequently the furthest of their players up the pitch, looking to seize on his pace when the chance is there.

David de Gea produces a strong punch to alleviate the danger as a corner from Barcelona’s left swings under his crossbar.

22 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

Jules Kounde rolls a pass to Marc-Andre ter Stegen straight behind, generously giving Manchester United a chance to swing in a corner.

Luke Shaw can’t make the most of it.

18 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

Lovely play from Pedri, who collects a chip from Gavi inside the penalty area on the left and fires an instinctive volley over the crossbar in balletic fashion.

That came as a consequence of a mix-up between Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw.

15 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

Barca have had almost 60% of the possession in the opening 15 minutes and the only shot on target through that Robert Lewandowski effort that produced an excellent save from David de Gea.

United might have expected this sort of start against opponents eight points clear at the top of La Liga.

13 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

The freekick proves an anticlimax. Marcos Alonso – familiar to the visitors from his long spell at Chelsea – beats the leaping wall and, comfortably, the crossbar.

11 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

Barca have a free-kick in a position the home fans are audibly excited by just outside United’s penalty area after Fred takes Gavi down with a clumsy challenge.

9 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

Robert Lewandowski is getting on the ball more now. This time he supplies Jordi Alba to send in a cross that United deal with.

8 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

An excellent save by David de Gea keeps Manchester United level!

Gavi finds Robert Lewandowski inside the penalty area on the left with an angled pass. The hotshot is alert to it, shifting the ball forward and crashing in an angled shot that De Gea beats away. You’d be a brave man to get in the way of that shot, as the Spaniard did successfully.

6 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

United have done the better work in the earliest stages, aside from that Raphinha break. Wan-Bissaka tries to create trouble just outside the penalty area on the right, and an offside flag goes up.

4 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

Raphinha shows his skills for the first time, beating Sancho with a spin and shuffling the ball past the attempted tackle of Casemiro.

The livewire then enters the penalty area on the right and runs the ball out of play.

2 mins: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

Now Barcelona regroup from that early United attack and keep the ball for a while. Robert Lewandowski is playing against United for the first time tonight.

1 min: Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

United, in white and attacking from right to left, make a bright start! Fred almost finds Bruno Fernandes with a cross into the six-yard box after scampering down the right, gritting his teeth at seeing the delivery narrowly miss his teammate.

5 mins from kickoff: The teams are about to emerge! “You’re looking forward to it – you’re hoping you can come here and achieve something,” ex-United midfielder Paul Scholes tells BT Sport of how the visiting players will be feeling.

20 mins from kickoff: Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 13 home games in Europe against English clubs, winning nine of them.

Their last defeat against an English club here was against in Liverpool in February 2007, when they were beaten 2-1.

40 mins from kickoff: Here’s confirmation of that Manchester United lineup as they try to win against Barcelona in Spain for the first time, having attempted to do so on five previous occasions.

60 mins from kickoff: Team news! Casemiro returns from suspension for Marcel Sabitzer – himself serving a ban – in United’s lineup, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Raphael Varane replaced Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire at the back.

Barcelona make two changes, both in defence: Marcos Alonso and Jordi Alba are in for Andreas Christensen and Alejandro Balde.

80 mins from kickoff: Don’t forget to follow our dedicated football channels on Twitter and Instagram for all the latest football updates, stats and analysis.

They’re your essential companions to the beautiful game.

100 mins from kickoff: Future Wales and Manchester City head coach Mark Hughes – now in charge at League Two side Bradford City – scored twice when these teams last met outside of the Champions League, in the 1991 Cup Winners’ Cup final in Rotterdam.

Ronald Koeman, who would go on to manage teams include Barca and his native Netherlands scored a consolation for the losers. While we’ve time before kickoff, let’s take a look at the highlights!

120 mins from kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ coverage of Barcelona and Manchester United’s return to European action this season!

Games with the feel of a final rarely come around in the UEFA Europa League in February. Rather than contesting a trophy, though – as these teams did in the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals – this game will decide whose European season ends.

The winners after the return game at Old Trafford on February 23 will go through to the Europa League Round of 16 and be among the favourites to win it, with Barca flying at the top of La Liga and a much-improved United only five points behind joint Premier League leaders Manchester City and Arsenal.

Barcelona vs Man United predicted lineups

Barcelona’s key injury absence is captain Sergio Busquets, as he joins Ousmane Dembele on the sidelines, due to an ankle problem.

Xavi is likely to stick with Franck Kessie as Busquets’ replacement, with Spanish pair Jordi Alba and Ansu Fati also pushing for a recall.

Barcelona starting XI (4-3-3): Ter Stegen (GK) — Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Alba — Pedri, De Jong, Kessie — Fati, Lewandowski, Gavi

Barcelona subs: Pena (GK), Balde, Raphinha, Torres, Alonso, Roberto, Garcia, Torre, Alarcon

Ten Hag is battling against a growing injury list at United with Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay and Antony joining Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek on the sidelines.

Argentina international Lisandro Martinez is suspended but Casemiro is available despite a domestic ban.

Man United starting XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea (GK) — Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw — Casemiro, Sabitzer — Rashford, Fernandes, Sancho — Weghorst

Man United subs: Heaton (GK), Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Fred, Malacia, Pellestri, Elanga, Iqbal, Mainoo

What time is Barcelona vs Man United kickoff?

This Europa League clash kicks off at the iconic Camp Nou in Barcelona on Thursday, February 16 at 6:45 p.m. local time.

Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:

  Date Kickoff time
USA Thu, Feb. 16 12:45 ET
Canada Thu, Feb. 16 12:45 ET
UK Thu, Feb. 16 17:45 GMT
Australia Fri, Feb. 17 04:45 AEDT*
India Thu, Feb. 16 23:15 IST
Hong Kong Fri, Feb. 17 01:45 HKT*
Malaysia Fri, Feb. 17 01:45 MYT*
Singapore Fri, Feb. 17 01:45 SGT*
New Zealand Fri, Feb. 17 06:45 NZDT*

* Game kicks off on Friday, February 17 in these time zones.

How to watch Man United vs. Barcelona

Here’s how to watch all of the action from this match in some of the major territories:

  TV Channel Streaming
Australia  — Stan Sport
Canada  — DAZN
Hong Kong  —  —
India  Sony TEN 2 Sony LIV, JioTV
Malaysia  beIN Sports 3 beIN Sports Connect, sooka
New Zealand  — Spark Sport
Singapore  beIN Sports 3 beIN Sports Connect, StarHub TV+
UK  BT Sport 2 BT Sport site/app
USA TUDN Paramount+,
ViX+, TUDN app

Australia: Fans can watch every match from the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League with all the action streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.

Canada: Every Champions League and Europa League match in Canada can be streamed exclusively on DAZN. 

UK: The UEFA Europa League is carried by BT Sport’s TV and streaming platforms.

USA: Fans in the USA can watch the Europa League in English (CBS and Paramount+) and Spanish (Univision, TUDN, UniMas, ViX and ViX+). This match will be shown on TUDN and subscription service Paramount+ and ViX+.

When matches are televised on CBS or Univision TV channels, those same channels are streamed on fuboTV, which is available on a free trial for new users.

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