Manchester United 2-2 (Agg. 5-3) Barcelona: Ruud van Nistelrooy Scores In Legends Clash

Manchester United’s Legends gave up a 2-0 lead at the break to draw 2-2 with Barcelona but still won 5-3 on aggregate following the first-leg triumph at the Nou Camp.

The two sides held a minute’s silence before the game as players and fans alike paid their respects to the victims of the terrors attacks in both cities over the summer.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy fired the Red Devils ahead from the penalty spot on 24 minutes with a powerful low drive into the bottom left corner.

The deadly Dutchman dispatched the penalty past Jesus Angoy in characteristically clinical fashion after Frederic Dehu fouled Karel Poborsky.

Danny Webber doubled the home side’s advantage before the break.

The Catalans hit back with Luis Garcia unable to convert a Davids centre and Goikoetxea hitting the outside of a post from long range.

However, two goals inside three minutes changed all that. Simao Sabrosa bent a drive onto the inside of a post and, with Raimond van der Gouw on the deck, Luis Garcia was left with a simple finish into an empty net with his left foot.

The moment when Yorke was robbed of the ball in a dangerous area, Mendieta pounced to round van der Gouw and tap in the equaliser.

The Reds collected the trophy in front of an appreciative crowd on another memorable day for the Manchester United Foundation, with more vital funds raised for local charities.

Manchester United: van der Sar (van der Gouw 58); Johnsen, Brown, Dublin (Thornley 49); Park, Poborsky, Yorke, Silvestre; Blomqvist (Djordjic 49), Saha (Webber 35); van Nistelrooy (Beardsmore 71). Sub not used: Irwin.

Barcelona: Angoy, Belletti (Sanchez Jara 62), Edmilson (Davids 58), Dehu (Simao 59), Abidal, Davids (Mateu 46, Mendieta 69)), Sergi (Luis Garcia 33), Mendieta (Sergi 45), Simao (Aloisio), Kluivert (Mendieta 58), Goikoetxea (Moreno 39 (Goikoetxea 69)). Sub not used: Guzman.