Kolkata, Nov. 9 -- Both trailed early, struggling to settle down. They were up facing opponents who had lost midweek and were looking to aggressively impose themselves from the off. Barcelona found a way, Manchester United held on. The win typified resilience, the last-gasp draw looked and felt like a rescue act symptomatic of life and times at Old Trafford.

After a weekend where Jesus de Miguel's untimely death was remembered at football grounds, Barcelona are on top of La Liga; Manchester United are in relegation zone in Premier League - a first in 40 years. The gap between two former European champions is no longer that; it is a chasm.

Talking of gaps, Lille have really narrowed the distance between them and serial Ligue 1 champions ...