Maradona, Romario & Hughes - Barcelona v Manchester United: The History

European Cup Winners’ Cup Quarter Final - 1984

Possibly the most famous comeback in Manchester United’s history, the second leg in this Cup Winners’ Cup quarter final also proved to be one of Bryan Robson’s finest hours for club or country. A Barcelona team featuring the legendary Diego Maradona and Bernd Schuster, and coached by Argentina 1978 World Cup-winning chain-smoker Cesar Luis Menotti, were red hot favourites to progress to the semis after winning 2-0 at Camp Nou, courtesy of a Graeme Hogg own goal and a wonder-volley from Juan Carlos Rojo.

However, on a glorious Old Trafford night, the Catalans just could not cope with the blood-and-thunder of the English. Bryan Robson cancelled out the advantage by heading home a corner, and then taking advantage of some comical Barca defending, before Frank Stapleton completed the comeback at the far post as United won 3-2 on aggregate. The Red Devils would lose in the last four to a Paolo Rossi-inspired Juventus, while Maradona would storm out of Barcelona in the summer to become God of Napoli.

European Cup Winners’ Cup Final – 1991

It was seven years until the two teams met again, and this time it was in the final of the same competition. The post-Heysel ban on English clubs competing in Europe had been lifted, and again United surprised their Spanish opponents with a 2-1 win in Rotterdam. Barcelona were severely handicapped by the absence of stars Guillermo Amor and Hristo Stoichkov, and United took full advantage with a second half brace from Mark Hughes, a player who had flopped in Catalonia earlier in his career. Ronald Koeman gave Johan Cruyff’s men hope with a trademark free kick, but this would signal the first European trophy of Sir Alex Ferguson’s United career, and the club’s first since 1968. Barcelona would win the European Cup the following year against Sampdoria with another Koeman free kick.

Champions League Group Stages – 1995

Despite United’s triumph in 1991, the European ban had affected English clubs badly, and it would be many years until they truly found their feet again. This was illustrated in 1995 when United, the dominant side in England, were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages, finishing below IFK Gothenburg and Barcelona. In the two games against the Blaugrana, the difference in class was startling.

United scraped a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford thanks to an impudent backheel by Lee Sharpe after Romario and Jose Maria Bakero has turned around Hughes’ opener. In the return clash at Camp Nou, Cruyff’s ‘Dream Team’ handed their counterparts a footballing lesson with a crushing 4-0 win - Hristo Stoichkov (2), Romario and Albert Ferrer grabbing the goals. This game also signalled one of Ferguson’s worst decisions as manager of United when, due to the three-foreigner rule, he dropped super-human goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel in favour of the helpless Gary Walsh.

Champions League Group Stages – 1999

The 1998/99 Champions League season will go down as one of the greatest in the history of the competition, with a whole host of classic matches. Two of them took place between United and Barcelona, who drew both of their group games 3-3. The first at Old Trafford saw United race into a two-goal lead through Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. Brazilians Sonny Anderson and Giovanni hauled the Spaniards back, but a David Beckham free kick special restored the home side’s advantage. Luis Enrique then dispatched a penalty to earn a share of the loot.

There was another six-goal thriller at Camp Nou in the penultimate pool game. Barcelona had to win to keep their qualification hopes alive, but despite a world class performance by Rivaldo, who scored a free kick, an overhead kick, and thumped the crossbar, they could only manage a point against a Dwight Yorke-Andy Cole inspired United. The frontmen shared all three goals. Barcelona were knocked out in the groups, while United would return to Camp Nou at the end of the season to dramatically pick-pocket the competition from Bayern Munich.

Champions League Semi Final – 2008

This tie between the champions of England and Spain was billed as Cristiano Ronaldo Vs Lionel Messi. While the Argentine was the clear winner in the individual battle, it was United who won the war and progressed to the final of Europe’s premier club competition. Ronaldo missed an early penalty in the 0-0 first leg draw at Camp Nou, which was characterised by United throwing everyone behind the ball, and Barcelona struggling to create clear-cut chances.

In the second leg, Paul Scholes capitalised on a Gianluca Zambrotta error to fire United ahead with a screamer, before United then again played a containing game, limiting the space that Barcelona had to play with. Sir Alex would lead his side to glory in the final against Chelsea after a dramatic penalty shootout. Barcelona would part ways with coach Frank Rijkaard, with Pep Guardiola taking the Dutchman’s place.

Head-To-Head Record

Man Utd wins – 3
Barcelona wins – 2
Draws – 4
Man Utd goals – 14
Barcelona goals - 15

Carlo Garganese, Goal.com

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