Young Boys vs Manchester United LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight
Relive all the action live from the Wankdorf Stadium
Manchester United’s Champions League campaign got off to a nightmare start as Jordan Siebatcheu’s stoppage-time strike earned Young Boys a famous 2-1 victory against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 10 men in Switzerland.
Three-and-a-half months on from losing the Europa League final to Villarreal on penalties, the Red Devils were on course to return to continental action with a straightforward win after Cristiano Ronaldo’s early opener.
The Portuguese’s 135th Champions League goal came as the returning forward equalled Iker Casillas’ appearance record in the competition, but the 36-year-old will want to forget his 177th match.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s 35th minute sending off for a rash challenge on Christopher Martins Pereira changed the dynamics of the game, with Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu levelling before Siebatcheu struck at the death.
Few could argue that the Swiss champions - managed by former Huddersfield boss David Wagner - did not deserve the result on a night when their performance was as impressive as United’s was poor.
Moumi Ngamaleu sent the Stadion Wankdorf wild when levelling and substitute Siebatcheu capitalised on a dreadful Jesse Lingard backpass to strike a stunning stoppage-time blow in the Group F opener. Relive all the action live below:
Solskjaer on new Champions League campaign
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke about his expectations for this season’s Champions League campaign after the disappointment of last year when Manchester United were dumped out at the group stage despite winning their first three games.
New signings Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane both bring heaps of Champions League experience with them to the squad and Solskjaer hopes they’ll have a positive impact on the rest of his players.
“Of course, you’re at the start of a new competition and we want to win every game and go all the way.” he said “But we know that we have to take one game at a time. We started brilliantly last time and then it changed against Basaksehir, that was the game that we shouldn’t have lost. We just have to focus on [Young Boys] now.
“It can only be a good thing, of course. With Cristiano and Raphael coming in, they won it four times with Real Madrid and Cristiano won it here with us as well. I think it’s great for everyone in the team and in the squad to see those players up close. They’ve come in, gelled really well with the group and they’re here to help the team.”
Ronaldo included in travelling squad
There was some doubt over how quickly Ronaldo would be rushed into the starting eleven ahead of United’s victory against Newcastle. The 36-year-old silenced those quickly, though, with two goals on his second debut and was immediately included in United’s travelling party for tonight’s fixture.
Manchester United squad
De Gea, Heaton, Kovar; Bailly, Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Varane, Wan-Bissaka; Fernandes, Fred, Lingard, Mata, Matic, Pogba, Sancho, van de Beek; Elanga, Greenwood, Martial, Ronaldo.
Cavani absent for United
Edinson Cavani will miss Manchester United’s Champions League opener against Young Boys this evening as he is sidelined with a ‘minor injury’ picked up in training before Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Newcastle in the Premier League.
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Cavani will be out for a ‘week or so’ and the 34-year-old could also miss Saturday’s league match versus West Ham.
There are some surprise inclusions to Man Utd’s travelling squad with 19-year-old winger Anthony Elanga, and 21-year-old goalkeeper Matej Kovar included.
Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in the squad for his first Champions League trip with the Reds since featuring in the 2009 final, in which they were beaten 2-0 by Barcelona.
Can Ronaldo provide a shortcut to Champions League success?
The impact Cristiano Ronaldo has had on Manchester United’s squad is already plain to see, but can the Portuguese’s return guide the club to Champions League glory? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes so, but Ronaldo’s presence failed to make the difference at Juventus.
Can Cristiano Ronaldo be Manchester United’s shortcut to Champions League success?
The Portuguese’s record in Europe is undeniable but it was no guarantee of success at Juventus
Manchester United open Champions League campaign against Young Boys
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage as Manchester United begin their Champions League campaign on away soil against Swiss champions Young Boys.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s matchday squad after scoring twice on his second United debut as they defeated Newcastle last weekend.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments