Iniesta’s burst into the box ends with a square ball that runs just behind both Eto’o and Messi, denying them a close-range shooting chance. Barcelona slice United open but can’t find Messi in stride for the finish.

Van der Sar gifts Messi the ball with a poor pass, and Messi quickly slips Eto’o through, but the Cameroonian’s attempt to find Iniesta breaks down. A rare United error that Messi almost turns into a clear chance.

Messi drives at Patrice Evra down the left and wins a free kick after being brought down. His sharp change of direction forces United’s defence into retreat.

From the resulting free kick, Messi’s cross is deflected behind for a corner that Van der Sar claims comfortably. His delivery causes a brief scramble but United’s keeper is alert.

Eto’o and Messi combine on the edge of the area before Eto’o unleashes a shot that Brown and Ferdinand bravely block. Messi’s interplay helps create another dangerous opening.

Messi fashions a shooting chance on his weaker right foot, but Wes Brown steps in to block the effort. Despite being on his less favoured side, Messi still forces United’s defence into emergency action.

Messi isolates Evra again and wins a corner down the right, with Ronaldo heading the set piece clear before Zambrotta’s long-range strike is tipped over by Van der Sar. Messi’s pressure keeps United pinned back.

After Brown’s error, Eto’o races into the box and tries to square for Messi lurking in the six-yard area, but Brown recovers to clear before the ball reaches him. Messi is inches away from a tap-in that could have made it 1-0.

Messi threads a pass into Xavi, who back-heels cleverly for Eto’o, but the striker lashes his shot into the side netting. Messi orchestrates the move, carving United open with his vision.

As Barcelona break, Messi fails to spot the narrow passing lane between Ferdinand and Brown where Eto’o had drifted, and the move breaks down. It’s a rare moment of misjudgment in Messi’s decision-making.

After Hargreaves concedes a free kick, Messi walks away as his number goes up and he is substituted, with Bojan Krkic coming on to replace him. His influential but goalless night ends just past the hour mark.