Manchester United and Barcelona are two of the biggest football teams in the world, with a rich history of rivalry that spans several decades. The two teams have faced off against each other numerous times, producing some of the most memorable moments in football history.
But has Manchester United ever beaten Barcelona? Let’s take a look.
Head-to-Head Record
Manchester United and Barcelona have faced each other a total of 12 times in official matches. Out of those 12 matches, Barcelona has won 5, Manchester United has won 3, and 4 matches have ended in draws. This means that statistically speaking, Barcelona has the upper hand when it comes to head-to-head matchups.
Memorable Matches
Despite the overall record favoring Barcelona, there have been some memorable matches where Manchester United has come out on top. One such match was the Champions League final in 2008 held at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. Manchester United won that match 2-1 thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.
Another memorable victory for Manchester United came in April 2008 when they beat Barcelona 1-0 at Old Trafford. Paul Scholes scored the only goal of the match in the 14th minute, securing a vital win for Manchester United on their way to winning their third Premier League title in a row.
Recent Encounters
In recent years, Manchester United has struggled against Barcelona. In fact, they have lost their last four encounters against the Catalan giants, including a painful defeat in the Champions League quarter-finals in April 2019. On that occasion, Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to a comfortable victory with two goals and two assists over two legs.
However, it’s worth noting that Manchester United did manage to pull off a memorable comeback against Paris Saint-Germain earlier that season with an injury-time penalty from Marcus Rashford. So while recent form may not be in their favor against Barcelona, Manchester United have shown they are capable of producing the unexpected.
Conclusion
So has Manchester United ever beaten Barcelona? The answer is yes, they have.
While Barcelona may have the better overall record, Manchester United has managed to secure some important victories over the years. It remains to be seen whether they will be able to add to that list in the future, but one thing is for sure – any matchup between these two giants of world football is sure to produce some unforgettable moments.