MANCHESTER UNITED completed a stunning comeback to beat Barcelona 2-1 in the Europa League last night.
Antony and Fred scored the goals as United won 4-3 on aggregate.
Off the pitch, US-based Ares Management Corp have become the latest asset manager to try and get involved in the proposed Manchester United takeover, according to reports.
Reuters have reported the buyout financier worth £290bn has offered funds to at least one bidder to support a potential takeover.
They add that funds were offered to "at least one bidder" in the form of "structured equity".
But they were reportedly turned down, as their terms were "unattractive".
United have received confirmed offers from the likes of Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
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- Jack Figg
Good morning United fans,
Manchester United are into the Europa League Last-16 after coming from behind to beat Barcelona.
In one of the club's best European nights in recent years, Fred and Antony scored second-half goals to give United victory over the Spanish giants.
Just like in the first-half they fell behind but Erik ten Hag's men recovered and continued their bid for an unlikely quadruple.
Red Devils legend Paul Scholes said the win was important for the club.
He told BT Sport: “What a great night, absolutely brilliant.
“Big European nights like this are what makes United. We know Barcelona had a couple of big players out.
“But once United got that second goal I don’t think United were in trouble.”
United could face any of Real Betis, Fenerbahce, Ferencvaros, Feyenoord, Freiburg, Real Sociedad or Union Saint-Gilloise.
Meanwhile, Marcel Sabitzer has opened the door to a longer-term stay at Old Trafford.
The midfielder arrived on loan on deadline day from Bayern Munich but has impressed fans with his output so far.
Asked about his future, he said: "It's a loan at the moment, that's all I can say.
"I like it here. I'm feeling very good here. I like the team, I like the club, the atmosphere in Old Trafford.
"We will see what happens in the summer."
- Kiro Evans
Samba Party
It was an electric night at Old Trafford as United got their biggest European win for years as they got past Barcelona.
With Fred on top form but Wout Weghorst struggling again, read SunSport's match ratings from tonight's game here.
- Kiro Evans
Paul In
Paul Scholes has given his reaction to an amazing night of football for Manchester United.
The Red Devils legend told BT Sport: "What a great night, absolutely brilliant.
"Big European nights like this are what makes United.
"We know Barcelona had a couple of big players out.
"But once United got that second goal I don't think United were in trouble."
- Kiro Evans
Full Time: Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona
Wow. It's all over at Old Trafford and United have booted La Liga leaders Barcelona out of the Europa League.
They went 1-0 down but recovered with a far better second-half performance, with Raphael Varane having to clear one off the line in stoppage time.
This feels like a big, big win for United – and the League Cup final is next.
Follow all the full-time reaction here.
- Kiro Evans
What a goal
Antony has given Manchester United the lead! A brilliant volley from just inside the box saw the Brazilian thrash home to give United the lead in the game and on aggregate.
With 16 minutes to go, it's United 2-1 Barcelona on the night and 4-3 on aggregate.
Follow the closing stages with us here.
- Kiro Evans
For Pete's Sake
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel blasted “stupid” Bruno Fernandes for needlessly giving away a penalty against Barcelona.
The Portuguese midfielder took down Alejandro Balde in the box, conceding a penalty which Robert Lewandowski converted.
Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5Live: "It is so stupid to pull a man down inside the penalty area in a situation where Alejandro Balde is going away from goal.
“That’s so stupid, I can’t tell you how stupid that is.
“To pull a man down so blatantly in the area in a situation where Balde is actually going away from goal. That is just stupid."
- Kiro Evans
Big Goal
It's taken only 90 second-half seconds but Man United are level!
Fred has converted with a well-taken finish from just inside the box and Old Trafford has exploded into noise.
We could have quite the second-half on here. Follow all the action here.
- Kiro Evans
Half-Time: Man United 0-1 Barcelona
The Red Devils have got some work to do after going in at the break behind.
Robert Lewandowski's early penalty after Bruno Fernandes brought down Alejandro Balde has left the Spanish side with the advantage.
Since the goal they have still looked the more dangerous side with United yet to quite get going.
Erik ten Hag's side may have to find some of that manic energy from the Nou Camp last week if they are to get back into it. Follow all the first-half analysis here.
- Kiro Evans
Setback
Manchester United are a goal down after Robert Lewandowski converted an early penalty.
Bruno Fernandes brought down Alejandro Balde in the box and the referee quickly pointed to the spot.
It is now 3-2 to Barcelona on aggregate and United have their work cut out. Follow the game with us here.
- Kiro Evans
Big Night Under the Lights
We're a couple of minutes into proceedings at Old Trafford on this huge European night for Man United and Barcelona.
Bruno Fernandes has already had a massive chance and almost gave United the lead.
Follow all the action in this Europa League second-leg here.
- Kiro Evans
Action at Old Trafford
It could be one of those classic European nights under the lights at Old Trafford tonight.
Following last week's Nou Camp blockbuster, Man United and Barcelona will pick up where they left off with the famous European giants looking to get into the Europa League last 16.
It should be a good one and you can follow every kick with our live text commentary here.
- Kiro Evans
Missing Men
Barcelona are missing some key men for tonight's second-leg clash.
Pedri and Gavi are ruled out due to injury and suspension respectively. Barca have made four changes in total, with Andreas Christensen, Alejandro Balde, Sergi Roberto and Sergio Busquets all coming in.
Barcelona have lost two of their main men from midfield - Kiro Evans
Line-Ups
There is one change for Man United from last week's team at Barcelona.
Lisandro Martinez, who was suspended last Thursday, is back and comes in for Tyrell Malacia.
Wout Weghorst is expected to play deeper than Rashford again - Kiro Evans
Match Winner?
Marcus Rashford's brace against Leicester means he now has 16 goals in 17 games since the end of the World Cup.
He scored last week at the Nou Camp and contributed to the own-goal. Could he once again reign supreme tonight?
Marcus Rashford has been scoring for fun since club football restarted in DecemberCredit: EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN - Kiro Evans
Ten Commandments
Bruno Fernandes has heaped praise on manager Erik ten Hag for laying down the law at Manchester United.
The Dutch manager has demanded good behaviour from the players and the result has seen United challenge towards the top of the table.
And Fernandes told Rio Ferdinand on his podcast Between The Lines: "He first arrived and we went on tour and the training sessions we had, he demands: 'you do it or you’re out. You don’t play.'
"Everyone was a little bit like in the beginning: 'will he do that or not? If a big player doesn’t do what he wants will he pull him apart or not?'
"And he did that many times, he did it with Cristiano [Ronaldo], with Jadon [Sancho], with Marcus [Rashford]."
- Kiro Evans
Goals, goals, goals
Manchester United legend Andy Coles expects plenty of goals tonight as Man United and Barcelona go head-to-head again.
He told Best Sports Betting Canada: "They're both desperate to be back there.
"Watching the game last week, it was a quality advertisement for the Europa League, but they are Champions League teams.
"I'm not saying either team can win the Champions League now, but they should be back there. It will be a tough game at Old Trafford, with the away goal rule out of the window, whoever wins goes through.
"If the game is as open as it was last week, it could be 6-6! I'm looking forward to a good game."
- Kiro Evans
Round 2
Manchester United and Barcelona stars will be gearing up for another grudge match tonight following last week's classic.
The two giants played out a breathless 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp to set up tonight's Europa League Last 32 deciding second-leg.
Erik ten Hag will be keen on his side conceding fewer chances – with Barcelona having sight at goal several times last week – but he will also want his stars to put away the chances of their own.
Follow all the build-up to tonight's huge game here.
- Kiro Evans
Case Closed
Paul Scholes has compared Casemiro to his old teammate Roy Keane as he gushed with praise over the Brazilian.
The 31-year-old has brought some much-needed steel to United's midfield and his performances have not gone unnoticed.
Ahead of United's clash with Barcelona tonight, Paul Scholes told internal club media: I've heard so many times, as well, that's he's probably the best holding midfielder as well. I don't see him as a holding midfielder.
"He's a proper Manchester United midfielder that gets involved in everything. You see him up the pitch, you see him defending, you see him controlling the game at times.
"He's probably as close to Roy Keane as you're going to get. I think he's been brilliant."
- Kiro Evans
Special Bru
Bruno Fernandes believes fans can whip up a brilliant atmosphere to help United overcome Barcelona tonight.
He recalled the Manchester derby when United fought back from a goal down last month.
Fernandes told the club website: "Obviously we were 1-0 down [against City] and we had the draw at that moment [after I equalised].
“We felt in the game that the fans are behind us, the momentum now [is with us], the stadium was on fire. We felt: we can win this game."
- Kiro Evans
Theatre of Dreams
Erik ten Hag has called on Man United's fans to be in full voice tonight ahead of their Europa League clash.
Barcelona visit Old Trafford for the second-leg a week after their 2-2 draw in Spain.
And ten Hag wants the atmosphere to be as intimidating as possible for the visitors.
He told the club website: “We are all on a journey together, moving forward game by game and, tonight, we need the fans, as well as the players, to be at the top of their game, if we are to create a memorable night at Old Trafford."
- Kiro Evans
Kick-Off Approaching
A huge night at Old Trafford looms as Man United prepare to cross swords with Barcelona once again.
The first-leg was electric and had hardly a dull moment – anything similar tonight will be welcome to neutrals.
As for Manchester United fans, win and they have their latest scrap of evidence that Erik ten Hag is indeed the man to put them back on the map.
But lose and it's another early European knockout stage exit – plus another defeat to their old Spanish nemesis.
Kick-off is at 8pm.
- Kealan Hughes
Wright pick for Man Utd
Ian Wright believes that Harry Kane is exactly the kind of number nine that Manchester United need, arguing that the Tottenham man would make the Red Devils title contenders next season.
The former Arsenal striker said on The Kelly & Wrighty Show: “[Manchester United] are a Harry Kane away from really kicking on [next season].
“When you look at Wout Weghorst… Yes I’ve been surprised with him coming off the No 9 [role] to No 10 and making things happen… But if that’s the plan then Harry Kane is the perfect person to do that.
“Marcus Rashford in that form, Alejandro Garnacho with his pace…Then, if Antony kicks on… Everything they’ve already got going forward with a proper No 9, Man United will be back!
“You just feel Man United are not a million miles away [from winning Premier League titles] again.”
- Kealan Hughes
Man Utd face Asensio battle
Arsenal, Man United and Tottenham are all battling for Marco Asensio’s signature in the summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Real Madrid star, 27, will be available for free in the summer when his contract expires, provided he doesn’t sign an extension.
Football Insider has learned that the Gunners will be competing with Spurs and United for Asensio and they have all been in contact with intermediaries about a potential deal.
- Kealan Hughes
James tips United for title
Manchester United are the “favourites” to win the Premier League, according to David James.
He told The Games Cabin: “It’s so difficult to say and I don’t want to sound like a flag in the wind here, but Manchester United are probably the favourites at the moment to win the league with all the stuttering that Arsenal and Manchester City have been showing in recent weeks.
“Manchester United just seem to be cruising at the moment, however, as with Arsenal and Manchester City, every team's run comes to an end, so there’s obviously a chance that Manchester United’s run will come to an end at some point.
“If that was to happen, then that will put the advantage back with Arsenal and Manchester City, who you’d expect to pick up some good form between now and the end of the season.
“Essentially, I believe those three teams will be in the top four at the end of the season.”
- Kealan Hughes
Fernandes details Ten Hag ruthlessness
Bruno Fernandes has admitted that Erik ten Hag lived up to his word by ripping into the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The midfielder suggested Ronaldo – along with the likes of Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford were the examples to the rest of the squad that ill-discipline would not be tolerated – regardless of status.
He said: “He demands from people. He demands and you either do it, or you’re out.
“In the beginning everyone was like: ‘Will he do that if a big player doesn’t do what he wants? Will he pull him apart or not?’
“And then he did it many times, he did it with Cristiano, he did it with Jadon and with Marcus also.”
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