De Gea dropped biggest clanger of Man Utd career while Pogba didn’t step up to Nou Camp challenge
MANCHESTER UNITED were sent crashing out of the Champions League as Lionel Messi led Barcelona into the semi-finals.
The Argentine great took advantage of two Red Devils clangers in four first-half minutes to put the Catalan side 3-0 up on aggregate.
First, Ashley Young failed to clear, Messi nutmegged Fred and found the bottom corner and then David De Gea let one slip under his body before Philippe Coutinho’s stunner secured the tie.
Here’s how SunSport rated and slated Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men…
DAVID DE GEA
Possibly the biggest clanger he has dropped in a Manchester United shirt and on the biggest of stages. Let a weak shot from Lionel Messi squirm under his body and in to make it 2-0 on the night.
VICTOR LINDELOF
With Luke Shaw suspended there had to be a switch round at the back leaving Lindelof at right-back. Really could have done with him in the middle.
CHRIS SMALLING
Performed well in the first leg keeping Lionel Messi quiet. Can’t be faulted really, over both games has grown back into a top United centre-back.
PHIL JONES
Up against Messi it really was no contest. Still unwinding himself following the way the little Argentinian turned him inside out in first-half injury time.
ASHLEY YOUNG
Got plenty of stick from fans after the first leg and tonight in the home of Johan Cruyff he tried one of his turns which didn’t come off… Messi did the rest.
SCOTT MCTOMINAY
Excellent in the first leg but this was another step up at the Nou Camp. Little doubt though that United have a star in the making.
FRED
Showed some signs recently of what he can do but hopelessly robbed of possession for Barca’s second goal. Still waiting to see the Brazilian really shine.
PAUL POGBA
The record signing was brought to United for nights like this. To step up on the big stage. But he didn’t do it, and rarely does.
JESSE LINGARD
Where has the spark gone? Barely got on the ball last night when something special was needed.
MARCUS RASHFORD
Incredible start to the game when he burst through and clipped the bar. Unfortunately that would be that as no further chances came his way before being subbed for Romelu Lukaku.
ANTHONY MARTIAL
An early spark when he put Rashford through but after that you had to keep checking that he was on the pitch as he had such little influence on the game.
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SUBS:
DIOGO DALOT (for Martial, 65 mins)
Brought on to help down the United right however it was too much to ask for him to have any real impact.
ROMELU LUKAKU (for Rashford, 73 mins)
Solskjaer turned to the Belgian forward to try and force something. He struggled, though, and was a passenger for the 17 minutes.
ALEXIS SANCHEZ (for Lingard, 80 mins)
Came on at his former stomping ground but his introduction was too little too late. Denied by a fine ter Stegen save in 90th minute.