‘Good times are back’ at Manchester United after pulsating Barcelona win in Europa League says Owen Hargreaves

United came from behind on a pulsating night at Old Trafford to win 2-1 against the Liga leaders.

Fred and Antony scored the goals for United, who have looked transformed in recent months under new manager Erik ten Hag.

“The energy is different,” said former United midfielder Hargreaves on BT Sport. “You can feel it, everybody can feel it, the players, the fans, it’s been a breath of fresh air.

“It’s been amazing, it feels like the feel-good factor is coming back, the game on Sunday [League Cup final against Newcastle] is another big step.

“It feels like the good times are back. There were a lot of positives tonight for United.”

United will now join Arsenal in the last 16 of the Europa League as they continue to fight on four fronts this season.

Former Man Utd forward Robin van Persie thinks some of the club’s new signings have played a key role in their improving form.

Van Persie said: “A massive impact is players like [Lisandro] Martinez, like Casemiro, winners, [Raphael] Varane, they will get you through difficult moments in the game, and they have showed that the last few months.

“Even though they went behind I still had the feeling they could overcome it and come back in the game, that’s a big sign of a top team.

“Always against top teams you have difficult moments and to overcome those difficult moments you need guys who trust each other and you see these players trust each other and their abilities.

“They are in a very good shape in many ways, physical, mentally, technically and tactically, they all know what to do, even in difficult circumstances.

“In the end it was a deserved win.”

Former United midfielder Paul Scholes added: “I felt United were really confident, they were comfortable in the game, I never really felt United were in trouble in the second half.”

United face Newcastle in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday bidding for their first silverware since 2017.