Manchester United won 0-2 away to Villarreal. Ronaldo scored 12 minutes from time before Sancho scored in the 90th minute to secure qualification for Manchester United. This win means Carrick gets off to a good start as Manchester United manager as United qualify tip of their group with a game left.
Here are five things we learned:
Carrick wins first game for Manchester United
Micheal Carrick won his first game in charge for Manchester United. This win is crucial as it helped secure qualification for the next round of the Champions League. Last season Manchester United got knocked down into the Europa League after finishing 3rd in a group containing PSG, Leipzig, and Istanbul Basaksehir. Being in the Europa League three seasons in a row would be a disaster for a club of Manchester United stature.
Ronaldo comes in clutch
Ronaldo has a knack of scoring important goals in the Champions League. He scored in the 95th minute in the previous meeting between these two sides. Ronaldo also scored a equaliser in added time against Atlanta in Italy. The way United have played in Group F makes it difficult to believe that they have managed to qualify for the last 16 with a game to spare, but that is where they find themselves thanks to Ronaldo’s heroics.
“It’s what he does, in the big games and big moments when you need something he’s there to deliver,” caretaker boss Michael Carrick said after his side ran out 2-0 winners in Spain.
De Gea is crucial
De Gea made two amazing saves that to keep United in the game at 0-0. United went on to win the game 0-2 because of those saves. If De Gea doesn’t make one of those saves, Manchester United would be in big trouble as Villarreal would have just sat back. De Gea distribution on the day was also good.
Coaches are an issue
United only comes to life when a team opens up. Against an organised team, we are in big trouble. If we can go 1-0 up, we become a really good team, but we rarely go 1-0 up. When we go 1-0 up, we can hit teams on the break who want to open up. If Ronaldo doesn’t score that goal, the game could easily have ended 0-0. Manchester United’s first goal came from a mistake.
Sancho gets of the mark for Manchester United
Jadon Sancho scored his first goal for Manchester United. Getting off the mark is important because he is going to be under less pressure. The England winger,21, arrived at Old Trafford on the back of four incredible seasons at Borussia Dortmund. Sancho’s goal was a tremendous team goal. It started with Fred, Mctominay, Ronaldo, Rashford, Bruno getting touches of the ball before Sancho scored. Sancho is a confidence player so, this goal will benefit him.
