Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Manchester United vs Young Boys LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight

Follow all the reaction from Old Trafford in the final group stage clash

Michael Jones
Wednesday 08 December 2021 22:18 GMT
Comments
Juan Mata gets stuck in during the first half
Juan Mata gets stuck in during the first half (AFP via Getty Images)

A second-string Manchester United drew 1-1 with Switzerland’s Young Boys in Champions League Group F at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

United were already assured of top spot in the group and a place in the last 16 while Young Boys finish bottom and are eliminated.

Interim United manager Ralf Rangnick made 11 changes from the team which beat Crystal Palace on Sunday and his makeshift side made an ideal start when Mason Greenwood’s super volley in the ninth minute put them ahead.

Young Boys drew level three minutes before the interval when United’s Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek gave away the ball on the edge of his own box and Fabian Rieder curled it into the corner.

United struggled to find any fluency after the break and Young Boys wasted several chance to win the game, most noticeably when Quentin Maceiras was found in space on the penalty spot but poked his shot wide.

Second place in the group will not be decided until Thursday after the match between Atalanta and Villarreal was postponed because of heavy snow in Bergamo, Italy.

Manchester United’s young boys earn valuable experience in Champions League draw

Manchester United had nothing to lose from this final Champions League group game with qualification in top spot already secured, but at the final whistle you were left wondering whether many members of this heavily rotated second-string line-up had done enough to gain their new manager’s trust.

Rangnick wanted to use this visit from Young Boys as an opportunity to watch those on the fringes of his squad in action first-hand and, after a low-key 1-1 draw in which United started well but then faded as the night wore on, he will have liked some of what he saw though not all of it.

Manchester United’s young boys earn valuable experience in Champions League draw

Manchester United 1-1 Young Boys: Ralf Rangnick took the chance to rotate his team and give opportunities to fringe players and academy graduates

Michael Jones8 December 2021 22:13

Man Utd 1 - 1 Young Boys

Manchester United featured six teenagers tonight in Shola Shoretire, Amad Diallo, Anthony Elanga, Teden Mengi, Charlie Savage and Zidane Iqbal.

It’s only the fifth time that’s ever happened in a match in Champions League history and the second time by an English side, after Arsenal v Olympiacos in December 2009.

(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Michael Jones8 December 2021 22:08

Thomas Tuchel challenges Chelsea to stop coasting when ahead after Zenit draw

Thomas Tuchel has challenged Chelsea to stop fixating on the scoreboard and coasting when in the lead.

The Blues rounded off their Champions League Group H campaign with a galling 3-3 draw at Zenit St Petersburg, finishing second behind Juventus.

The Stamford Bridge men had already secured their slot in the last 16, but twice squandered control in Russia – to take their goals conceded tally to six in two matches.

Thomas Tuchel challenges Chelsea to stop coasting when ahead after Zenit draw

The Blues rounded off their Champions League Group H campaign with a galling 3-3 draw at Zenit St Petersburg.

Michael Jones8 December 2021 22:04

Late Zenit equaliser leaves Chelsea second in Champions League group

A bit of reaction from earlier in the evening where Magomed Ozdoev’s stoppage-time thunderbolt consigned a patched-up Chelsea to a 3-3 draw at Zenit St Petersburg and second place in Champions League Group H.

Timo Werner thought he had settled the argument with a smart, late second goal in the closing stages, only for Ozdoev to lash home a half-volley from the edge of the area at the death.

Juventus’ 1-0 win over Malmo secured top spot for the Italians, leaving defending champions Chelsea sweating on a potentially-tougher draw in the last-16 knockout stage.

Late Zenit equaliser leaves Chelsea second in Champions League group

Zenit 3-3 Chelsea: A Timo Werner brace wasn’t enough to send the Blues through as group winners

Michael Jones8 December 2021 22:01

Man Utd 1 - 1 Young Boys

There is a worrying sign for Manchester United. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has stayed down after United’s last attack in which he sent in a cross and ran into the advertising boards. The final whistle went but he stayed down and the medical team have sprinted over to him.

Michael Jones8 December 2021 21:56

Full-time: Man Utd 1 - 1 Young Boys

90+5 mins: The game drifts to an indifferent end. Manchester United keep Young Boys from scoring. The points are shared. United keep hold of their lead at the top of Group F.

Ralf Rangnick’s also had a good look at a whole bunch of United players tonight.

Mason Greenwood’s opener was cancelled out by Fabian Rieder with both goals coming in the first half.

Michael Jones8 December 2021 21:54

Man Utd 1 - 1 Young Boys

90 mins: Five minutes of added minutes to play. Plenty of time for someone to score a winning goal. Young Boys need to win tonight to have any chance of dropping into the Europa League.

Can they get another goal?

Michael Jones8 December 2021 21:48

Man Utd 1 - 1 Young Boys

89 mins: Here’s a moment for Manchester United youngsters Zidane Iqbal and Charlie Savage who both come on to make their first team debuts. Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard are the two players taken off.

Michael Jones8 December 2021 21:46

Man Utd 1 - 1 Young Boys

87 mins: Nearly! Mengi mishits a backpass to Heaton and Kanga almost takes advantage of the mistake but Heaton just beats him to the ball and belts it back up the pitch!

Michael Jones8 December 2021 21:44

Man Utd 1 - 1 Young Boys

84 mins: Young Boys are the only team that look likely to score. Maceiras weaves into the box and gives the ball to Hefti. He lays it off to a more central position for Sierro to run onto a shot but he sends his effort wide of goal as well! The visitors just haven’t been clinical enough in this second half.

Michael Jones8 December 2021 21:41

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in