UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: RONALDO SCORES AS YOUNG BOYS SHOCK MANCHESTER UNITED 2-1
Manchester United suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Young Boys of Switzerland in a UEFA Champions League match Tuesday. Christiano Ronaldo returned to United in the summer after his Real Madrid and Juventus experience, he scored the opener in the 13th minute of the first half.
The 36-year-old, Portuguese international, equaled former Real Madrid team-mate Ike Casillas for the most Champions League appearances, two weeks after he became the highest scoring men’s international with 177 games.
The match played on an astroturf saw the Young Boys obviously, compact, disciplined in tackles and cohesive in their approach in the better part of the first half, they worked pushing United to their own half. And due to the Young Boys strength with the right crosses through the wings, United’s back four was forced to struggle in the defense. United were reduced to ten men when Aaron Wan-Bissaka was sent off in the 35th minute after a clumsy challenge on Christopher Martins.
The Young Boys went on to win the match 2-1 with Jordan Pefok’s winner with the final kick of the game after a poor pass from Jesse Lingard leading to the goal.
Manchester United had looked to be in control of the second half but lacked the aggressive, quick play in counter attack, and they didn’t create threatening opportunities.
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, already receiving the pressure of the defeat, has been criticized for his tactical decisions, which is assumed has led to the defeat and deserved point by the Swiss side. Ronaldo was substituted and assumedly Mason Greenwood was expected to come in considering his pace.
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson, said on Soccer Special, “Young Boys were petrified of Ronaldo but Lingard plays how I used to play-he will come back and get the ball, and that’s not helping because you are down to 10 men already.
“You want the ball going the other way because if the ball goes the other way then your opponents can squeeze the games.” Mason added
“That’s all young Boys did: they pushed up to the halfway line because there was not threat behind.
“Without that threat, you aren’t going to win too many football matches. If you are going to bring Ronaldo off, bring Mason Greenwood on because he has the pace.” The Sky Sports pundit said.
Meanwhile, Young Boys manager, David Wagner has expressed satisfaction with the performance of his side,
“We’ve won a couple of games already, but to beat Manchester United in the Champions League is unique. I’m just really happy for everyone who witnessed it. Every single person here played their part. The lads went above and beyond their limits. That’s only possible with support. We wanted to show our intensity, our aggression and passion. The lads did brilliantly and deserve huge credit.” David Wagner said.Manchester United return to the Premier League to redeem their image with expectation high having played Wolves and Newcastle so far in the League with Christiano Ronaldo netting two goals.
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