Solid in defence, clinical in attack: Man United’s perfect away performance

Bayer Leverkusen 0-5 Manchester United

Manchester United beat Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 to secure their passage to the Champions League knockout stage. Antonio Valencia gave United the lead in the 22nd minute, making a late run into the far post to get on the end of a Wayne Rooneycross following a terrific counter attack. They went 2-0 up just minutes later with Rooney taking the role of provider again as Leverkusen defender Emir Spahic headed the ball past his own goalkeeper. Jonny Evans scrambled in a third midway through the second half then Chris Smalling and Nani added two more to seal a comprehensive victory. The Red Devils just have to avoid defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk at Old Trafford in their final game to secure top spot in Group A.

Key Stats

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United restricted their German opponents to just one shot on target over the course of the game and had managed 19 shots compared to Leverkusen’s 9. Leverkusen were demolished on their own turf by a rampant United side who managed to steal the majority of possession (52%-48%) towards the end of the game despite playing most of the game on the counter attack.

The Red Devils were much more penetrative than normal through the middle of the pitch. They completed 9 key passes as they ripped through Leverkusen’s backline at will. Shinji Kagawa was fielded in the number 10 role behind Wayne Rooney but it was Ryan Giggs who was a major stand-out, completing three key passes in the 90 minutes. In truth, it was just a fantastic team performance from United.

Man of the Match

Jonny Evans

Evans was fantastic

Evans was a rock at the heart of United’s back four as he recorded an impressive Performance Score of 67 to snatch the Squawka Man of the Match award from the likes of Giggs, Rooney and Valencia. He made a crucial, inch-perfect tackle to denyStefan Keisling when the score was still 0-0 and topped off his faultless display with the third goal to seal United’s victory.

Evans completed 9 clearances for United

The Northern Irishman is an imperious defender in this sort of form. He was determined not to let the Germans score a single goal making 9 clearances, two tackles and two interceptions.

Performance Score

After a stagnant first 20 minutes, United never looked back once they went 1-0 up. They finished with a hefty Performance Score of 511 compared to Leverkusen’s measly tally of -158.

As soon as Valencia put United into the lead they moved well clear of their hosts with a score of 91 to -5. They swiftly continued their dominance, going into half time 2-0 in front.

Leverkusen may have managed to get their score above 0 just after half-time but Evans then killed the game off with United’s third goal.

Finally, Smalling and Nani added the Red Devils’ fourth and fifth goals as United asserted their control on the game even further. The Portuguese winger took up the unusual role of the main striker in the last ten minutes and managed to notch his first goal of the season.

Key Observations

United were very compact when defending, restricting their hosts to just eight shots and when they did get the ball, they were not only quick on the counter but they were tremendously clinical in advanced areas of the pitch too. A quick glance at their Heat Map shows this.

The English champions were able to exploit wide areas extremely well with Antonio Valencia and Nani showing signs that they could be about to return to some sort of form. The Ecuadorian was a constant threat down United’s right flank, causing Leverkusen’s make-shift left-back Emre Can all sorts of problems.

United managed to completed 9 take-ons compared to Leverkusen’s two with Nani himself winning more than the whole of the German side.

United’s take ons

Their effectiveness in defence is emphasised by the fact they made 25 interceptions, with plenty of them coming inside Leverkusen’s own half. United’s ability to win the ball high up the pitch and counter on their opponents was the major factor behind their stunning 5-0 away victory.