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The Last Time Barcelona Visited Old Trafford, Paul Scholes Did This

The Last Time Barcelona Visited Old Trafford, Paul Scholes Did This

"AND IT'S SCHOLEEEEES!"

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Can you believe it's been 11 years since Paul Scholes scored that absolute screamer against Barcelona, as Lionel Messi and co. looked on in astonishment?


With an unbelievable passing range and a knack for scoring screamers, it's no surprise that many considered Scholes to be one of the most complete and gifted players of all-time - even if he couldn't tackle to save his life.

Scholes' fine strike in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in 2008 was not only a sensational trademark hit, but it was against one of the very best teams in the world.

Not to mention the fact that it took United to the Champions League final in Moscow.

Just 14 minutes into the game at Old Trafford, Scholes capitalised on an errant pass, took one touch and absolutely hammered the ball into the top corner, Victor Valdes having no chance as the net rippled.

The Ginger prince wheeled away in celebration after scoring his most important goal for his beloved United.

Manchester United will face Barcelona in the next stage of the Champions League as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returns to the Camp Nou, 20 years after scoring 'that' last minute winner in '99.

Solskjaer's men, who squeezed through to the quarters thanks to a ballsy last minute penalty from Marcus Rashford, face an even tougher task next month against a team that haven't lost a Champions League home game since 2013.

The last time Barcelona played Manchester United at Old Trafford, a fresh faced Messi - without a Ballon d'Or at the time - ran United ragged, giving world football a glimpse of what was to come in the coming years.

It was a Messi performance many have forgotten about, mainly because of Paul Scholes trademark strike in the first half and the fact Sir Alex Ferguson's side progressed to a final they would go on to win against Chelsea.

But we thought we'd remind you all of what happened when the little magician last visited the Theatre of Dreams.

Years later Scholes described how scary it was to play against Messi on that historic day at Old Trafford:

"I am not ashamed to admit that in the games against Barcelona I spent a lot of the time just hoping he would take up positions as far away from me as possible." he said.

"Elusive is the word that immediately springs to mind when I think about Messi's style of play. You think you have an eye on him and then - blink - he has gone, only to reappear somewhere else in space, with the ball.

"When you try to face up to him and make a tackle you know what it is he is going to do with the ball. The problem is staying with him."

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Topics: Paul Scholes, SPORT, Football News, Football, Manchester United, Barcelona, Messi, Lionel Messi, Champions League, La Liga, Barca