Luke Shaw own goal gives Barcelona 1-0 advantage against United

Manchester United lost 1-0 at home to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday, leaving its semifinal chances in a precarious position.

Luke Shaw own goal gives Barcelona 1-0 advantage against United

Barcelona took a big step towards its  first Champions League semi-final in four years as it claimed a slender 1-0 win away to Manchester United despite a thoroughly underwhelming performance.

Ernesto Valverde's men were far from their best, with Lionel Messi uncharacteristically quiet, though United failed to make the most of its periods of superiority and must win at Camp Nou in order to progress any further in the competition.

Barca's positive start saw it produce the only goal, the unfortunate Luke Shaw deflecting a Luis Suarez header into his own net, though United looked bright for the remainder of the first half.

Although that pattern of play resumed after the interval, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side struggled to craft meaningful chances and, as sloppy as Barca was, it successfully held on to a crucial away win.

READ | As it happened

Barca took the early initiative and led in the 12th minute – Messi picking out Suarez at the back post and his header glanced off Shaw and trickled in.

United improved as the half went on, though David de Gea had to be alert with 36 minutes on the clock, using his left foot to keep out Philippe Coutinho's effort.

Diogo Dalot should have given United a deserved equaliser soon after, meeting Marcus Rashford's deep cross and inexplicably putting a header across goal rather than towards it.

United continued to look the better side after the break and wasted another chance early on – Rashford's close-range volley skewed horribly wide.


Barca remained a threat, though, as Suarez shot into the side-netting after excellent play by Nelson Semedo, before Jordi Alba tested De Gea at his near post.

The visitor was not made to pay for those misses, however, with United's poor service failing to improve.


What does it mean? It's the hard way again for United

Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku were unable to create any moments of brilliance to pull Manchester United level.   -  Getty Images


"Mountains are there to be climbed," as Solskjaer said after losing 2-0 to Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford in the last 16. His team pulled off something resembling a miracle in the second leg to knock out the French champion, and it will have to do similar at Camp Nou. But Wednesday's game certainly proved there are dents in the Barca armour.

Semedo a useful outlet

Given the nod ahead of Sergi Roberto at right-back, presumably for his pace, Semedo was effective going forward and looked solid at the back. In a game of few standout performers, he was one.

Busquets fortunate to avoid red card

Sergio Busquets was warned thrice and was shown a yellow card after committing multiple rash fouls.   -  Getty Images


Spain international Sergio Busquets put in a disappointing display, particularly off the ball. He was lured into several cynical fouls and was very lucky not to get sent off, with the referee only showing him a single yellow card.

Key Opta facts

- Manchester United has lost three consecutive home Champions League knockout stage games for the first time.
- This was Barcelona's fourth Champions League victory against United, with each one coming in a different stadium (Camp Nou, Stadio Olimpico, Wembley and Old Trafford).
- United has lost four of its last six Champions League home games, as many as it has in its previous 71 at Old Trafford in the competition (W51 D16 L4).
- United failed to have a single shot on target in a Champions League game for the first time since March 2005, in a 1-0 loss at AC Milan.


What's next?

The second leg at Camp Nou is on Tuesday, but before then United hosts West Ham and Barca travels to struggling Huesca in LaLiga.