23 February 2023 , 22:43
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Jubilant Manchester United supporters cheekily asked transfer target Frenkie de Jong, 'what's the score?' after their team came from behind to beat his Barcelona at Old Trafford.
Courtesy of a sensational 2-1 victory, the Red Devils made it through to the last 16 of the Europa League thanks to goals from Fred and Antony, who cancelled out Robert Lewandowski 's early penalty. Notably on the losing side was Dutch midfielder De Jong, who United manager Erik ten Hag made his top target during the summer transfer window.
Having worked together at Ajax, Ten Hag wanted to reunite with De Jong in Manchester but didn't get his wish, despite Red Devils football director John Murtough jetting off to Barcelona in the hope of securing a deal. The 25-year-old ignored Ten Hag's advances because he was desperate to stay at cash-strapped Barca, who were open to selling him in order to ease their financial woes.
Now that his current employers are out of the Europa League, the Old Trafford faithful made sure to ridicule De Jong - who Ten Hag still wants to sign - after the full-time whistle. As the Netherlands international glumly made his way back towards the away dressing room past a buoyant Stretford End, a section of home fans sang: "Frenkie, what's the score? Frenkie, Frenkie, what's the score?"
2-1 to the Red Devils - if he needed reminding. De Jong's side looked to be the ones heading through at half-time, with Lewandowski's 18th-minute opener putting Barcelona in the lead, just as they had done in the first leg which ended in a 2-2 draw.
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United once again came from behind to take the lead, though, with Fred scoring within just two minutes of the restart. Then half-time substitute Antony made an impact from the bench, executing a superb finish as Ten Hag's men wrestled hold control of the game. Unlike last Thursday, there was no comeback from the La Liga giants, who deservedly crashed out.
Frenkie de Jong was ridiculed by Man Utd fans after his Barcelona lost at Old Trafford (Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)Have your say! Should Man Utd still look to sign De Jong? Let us know your verdict in the comments section.
"First half we didn't play how we usually play," Red Devils goalscorer Fred admitted when speaking to BT Sport post-match. "But in the second-half we were much better and scored early so we had a good talk at half-time with the coach and we change our mindset and came out very well."
United legend Peter Schmeichel also told BBC 5 Live of the two-legged tie as a whole: "It has been brilliant, over the two matches it could have gone either way. It is two great teams who have gave us everything. In the first game I thought Manchester United were on top, in the first-half of this game Barcelona really took control of the game. In the second-half Erik ten Hag made the right changes and it was an instant result."