Europa League ignites with Battle of the Giants as Man Utd dump Barca

February 24 - Barcelona's recent continental woes continued as they were knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United on Thursday, failing to reach the knockout stages.

In the clash of the titans, United fought back to claim a 2-1 victory (4-3 on aggregate) to send the runaway La Liga leaders packing their bags. They will face more Spanish opponents in the next round, this time in the form of less imposing Real Betis.

Last season Barca were knocked out of Europe's second-tier competition in the quarter-finals and Thursday's elimination marked only the fifth time they have been knocked out in a group stage over the past three decades.

It's a far cry from the golden age of 2005-15 when they won four Champions League titles.

This year should have been the year of recovery for a revamped Barca team led by new signing Robert Lewandowski. Instead, after being demoted to the Europa League when only third in their Champions League group, another elimination represents another financial blow.

"It's a big disappointment but I think we were better this season than the last, at least we showed up," manager Xavi told Spanish television. "We played against top clubs like Bayern Munich, Inter Milan (in the Champions League) and now Manchester United and we couldn't match them."

In contrast, United manager Erik ten Hag has insisted his side can beat anyone as they seek a first major trophy since 2017.< /p>

In front of a raucous crowd of 73,000, it was the type of encounter United fans had been hoping for since the great Alex Ferguson's days as the first exceptional Ten Hag the season continues to improve.

United remain in four competitions this season and will face Newcastle in the League Cup final on Sunday.

Ten Haag said, "You need a strategy to build, but you also need results to get that conviction."

"It's another step because when you can beat Barcelona - one of the best teams right now in Europe - your conviction can be very strong because then I think you are capable of beat anyone. It was a beautiful night."

Elsewhere Sevilla goalkeeper Marko Dmitrović was attacked by a fan who ran onto the pitch during the Spanish side's 2-0 loss to PSV Eindhoven.

The supporter punched Dmitrović before being tackled to the ground by the keeper in the late game incident

Dmitrović appeared unscathed and the supporter was quickly surrounded by players from both teams before being dragged off the field to boos from the crowd.

Sevilla went up another 3-2 on aggregate while Ten Hag's former side Ajax sat out after a 3-1 loss to Turkey Union Berlin.

After today's Europa League round of 16 draw, the pairings are as follows with matches to be played on March 9 and 16:

Union Berlin versus Union Saint-Gilloise

Sevilla v Fenerbahçe

Juventus against Freiburg

Bayer Leverkusen v Ferencvaros

Sporting Lisbon v Arsenal

Manchester United v Real Betis

Roma v Real Sociedad

Shakhtar Donetsk v Feyenoord

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