Young Boys vs Manchester United Summary

United suffered defeat to Young Boys in Matchday 1 of the Champions League group stages. This is the first time United have lost their opening day fixture since their 2015 loss to PSV. United started strong and looked in total control when Cristiano Ronaldo netted the opener. Bruno picked his international teammate with a superb ball and Ronaldo stuck it in the net. United cruised the first thirty minutes until one moment changed the whole match. Wan-Bissaka took a heavy touch and looked to win the ball back immediately. Unfortunately, he missed the ball and stood on Christopher Martin’s boot. Wan-Bissaka received his marching orders and didn’t look too fussed but I think nine times out of ten that’s a yellow card. He means no malice like the Tarkowski challenge, he is not out of control or moving with any real momentum.

From that point, Young Boys dominated as United looked to sit and counter with ten men. United brought on Varane to secure the scoreline but it didn’t work. 66 minutes in Young Boys equalised. Hefti was found in acres of space on the United left and whipped in a decent cross but two ricochets before being bundled in by Ngamaleu. United had one real chance in the second half as Ronaldo bared down on goal and was clearly shoved in the back by the defender but no penalty was given by the referee. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lamented this decision and many fans rightfully agree that it should have been given.

Nevertheless, United looked set for a ‘good point’ considering the circumstances when a once-in-a-career mistake from Jesse Lingard cost United the point. An awful back pass played Siebatcheu through and he clipped it past de Gea to win the game for the home side.

Conclusion

Honestly it was a gut-wrenching loss, especially the way it came about. Just a bad day at the office I think as almost nothing went United’s way. The refereeing decisions didn’t go United’s way, the substitutions didn’t work how Ole would have wanted and even when United looked set for a point, the smallest difference in the pace of a backpass didn’t go United’s way. The reactions or overreactions I have seen on social media have been embarrassing. Calling for Ole’s dismissal after one loss is almost laughable at this point. On Saturday, United were a super team ready to take on the world and by Tuesday night United were a clueless team with bad players and a bad manager. Shameless.

Regardless of this, United can make it three league wins in a row with a victory away to West Ham. It will be a tough ask but without Antonio, United have a big advantage. Let’s see how Ole’s team react.

Young Boys vs Manchester United Player Ratings:

David de Gea 7.5/10

Made some crucial saves to stop Young Boys from equalising/winning earlier. Could do nothing about the goals.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka 3/10

Put in a couple of decent crosses but the red card was the big change in the game. It was late but again, nine times out of ten it’s a yellow.

Victor Lindelof 6/10

Don’t think he did too much wrong. Did well when forced wide.

Harry Maguire 6/10

Won everything in the air and could do nothing about the first goal.

Luke Shaw 5/10

I think he was too narrow in the build up to the equaliser but the deflections didn’t help.

Fred 7.5/10

I don’t know how people blamed him. He was genuinely so impressive as he held the midfield on his own at points. European Fred is something totally different. Ran out of steam at the end.

Donny van de Beek 6/10

Didn’t look out of place in the midfield but the red card changed it all. Shame to see him come off but it made sense. I’d like to see him start in the cup game next Wednesday.

Paul Pogba 4/10

I think the only reason he was left on was for winning aerial duals because I don’t think he did a lot right after the sending off.

Bruno Fernandes 7/10

Fantastic pass to open the scoring and did create chances on the break. Looked tired and I get why he was taken off but in hindsight maybe keeping him on and taking Pogba off would have worked better.

Jadon Sancho 5/10

Wasn’t quite on the same wavelength but got in great positions. Had the red card not happened I would have liked to see what he would do. It’s a coin flip for me whether he starts on the left or Pogba does on Sunday but many are calling him a flop already. He’s 21 and adjusting to a different league and club, don’t write him off.

Cristiano Ronaldo 7/10

Great movement for the goal and easily should have been given a penalty. The big thing is why he wouldn’t have shot had he not been prevented from doing so? Either way I think it was the right call to take him off for any number of reasons.

Subs:
Diogo Dalot 5/10

Didn’t do much to drive the team forward as the wing back and but did alright defensively.

Raphael Varane 6/10

Don’t think he could do much for the first goal and stopped at least two clear cut chances with an outstretched leg or challenge.

Nemanja Matic 5/10

Kept the midfield tight but couldn’t be an outlet or press effectively.

Jesse Lingard 3/10

Pressed well but gave away a point with either a careless or simply a weak backpass. I hope he keeps his head up as he is a confidence player and has a role in this team right now.

Anthony Martial N/A

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 5/10

I’m not going to overreact here. Ole started with a very strong team that was cruising for 35 minutes and made changes to secure the win and counter. It didn’t work as the midfield got overran, so Ole brought on the only other two midfielders he had. I’ve heard arguments that if it was Pep or Klopp that they would secure the win or win by more. Utter rubbish. Hindsight is an excellent tool for some but it doesn’t help change what happened. There’s five games left and all three home matches where United can get the points they need to top the group. I don’t doubt they will.