Ten-man Manchester United got their Champions League campaign off to the worst possible start after Swiss side Young Boys fought back from a goal down to win in stoppage time.
United had taken the lead after 13 minutes through Cristiano Ronaldo. However, a red card for Aaron Wan-Bissaka changed the game. Young Boys dominated thereafter and equalised through Moumi Ngamaleu.
When it looked like United were going to hang on for a point, an awful backpass from Jesse Lingard allowed Theoson Siebatcheu to score the winner with the last kick of the game.
Manchester United Stunned by Young Boys on Champions League Return
Disappointing Night for Manchester United
Manchester United were heavy favourites to get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start.
Despite going a goal in front through Cristiano Ronaldo, the whole complexion of the game changed when Aaron Wan-Bissaka got sent off with ten minutes to go in the first half.
From that point onwards, the Red Devils failed to have a shot on goal. They struggled to keep the ball and were constantly pinned back in their own half by the Swiss side. Eventually, the pressure told and Moni Ngamaleu equalised on 66 minutes.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka was unfortunate to be sent off. It was a challenge with no malice or intent but he did go over the top of the ball and caught the Young Boys player on his ankle.
The biggest frustration for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be that they defended well for most of the game when they were down to ten men and looked to be heading for a point. But it was an awful error from Jesse Lingard. He gifted the easiest of chances for Theoson Siebatcheu to win the game for Young Boys.
This defeat piles the pressure on Manchester United. Their next Champions League group match is against Villarreal in a repeat of the Europa League final at Old Trafford in a fortnight.
Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo Combine
There have been concerns from some pundits regarding how the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo would affect Bruno Fernandes, with the latter having been Manchester United’s talisman since he joined in 2020. There were also questions as to whether both could link up together after previous poor showings with Portugal.
However, both combined superbly to score the opening goal in Switzerland. Fernandes delivered a sublime cross with the outside of his foot into the penalty box. Ronaldo showed great movement in the box to get away from his marker and fire his shot through the goalkeeper’s legs. Before his goal, Ronaldo only had six touches of the ball at that point.
It was Ronaldo’s 177th Champions League appearance, equalling the record alongside Iker Casillas.
Disappointing Night for Jadon Sancho
It was another disappointing performance for Jadon Sancho. In the 37 minutes he played, he never really got into the game. He made some decent runs but didn’t provide any end product. He was sacrificed for right-back Diego Dalot after Aaron Wan-Bissaka got sent off.
Manchester United fans have yet to see the best of Sancho. There is more to come from the England international. However, when you pay over £70 million, United fans and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be expecting more from the former Borussia Dortmund player.
Main Photo
