Barcelona head coach Xavi feels his side were denied a very clear penalty late on in their action-packed 2-2 draw with Manchester United.The sides played out Nate Davis Jersey a thriller at Camp Nou on Thursday to leave their Europa League knockout play-off round tie in the balance heading into next weeks return leg.Marcos Alonso opened the scoring for Barca early in the second half, but United were in front nine minutes later through a Marcus Rashford strike and Jules Koundes own goal.Raphinha equalised for the hosts in rather fortuitous circumstances in the 76th minute, the wingers cro s going right through without a touch, and Barca went all out for a winner.A scramble in the box culminated in Casemiro hitting his own post, before Ansu Fati was brilliantly denied by David de Gea the United keepers sixth save of the game.Amid the end-to-end drama in the closing stages, Xavi is adamant his side should have been awarded a spot-kick for a shot that struck Fred on the arm.For me, the penalty is very clear, he told Movistar+. I went over to tell the Jayon Brown Jersey referee that at the end. It was clear. Thats my opinion and I know that wont change anything.The referee said the ball was too close to Freds body, but for me its not. Its a clear penalty.Barcelona finished the game with an expected goals (xG) return of 1.26 compared to 2.13 for their opponents, suggesting the Red Devils did more to win the contest.Raphinhas goal ultimately salvaged a draw for the LaLiga leaders, with the former Leeds United player having now been involved in five goals in his four games Warren Moon Jersey against United. He also played in the corner for Alonsos opener, meaning he has scored and a sisted in the same game four times this term the most of any LaLiga player in all competitions.The Brazil international reacted angrily to being substituted for Ferran Torres soon after scoring, but head coach Xavi says that is entirely understandable. I have to do it for the good of the team, Xavi said. I perfectly understand the anger shown by players. I was also angry.He has come to apologise to me, but he didnt have to. We wanted to find a way to win the game and we almost did at the end. Barcelona are now unbeaten in their past 16 matches, but one big negative for the Catalan giants was losing influential midfielder Pedri to a first-half injury.The 20-year-old sustained muscle discomfort in the quadriceps of his right leg, which initial reports suggest will rule him out for up to a month and thus next weeks second leg. Tennessee Titans Jersey Asked for an update on Pedris injury, Xavi simply said: He noticed some discomfort in the quadriceps. Well have to see.Gavi will also mi s the return fixture at Old Trafford next Thursday after picking up a yellow card in the second half.Despite Ryan Succop Jersey the initial air of frustration, Xavi was happy with his sides performance against a United side that have now lost just once in 16 games since the World Cup break.It was a very even match. We played well against a great team, Xavi said. We had to work hard. We had the feeling we could have scored a winning goal.Old Trafford will now decide it. We go to Manchester with the aim to advance.