UEFA CL 18-19: 3 reasons why Manchester United beat Young Boys

Manchester United salvaged a 1-0 win over Swiss champions Young Boys via a Fergie time winner from Marouane Fellaini to qualify for the Round of 16 with a game to spare.

After a frustrating 90 minutes on the clock, the game entered stoppage time with United bombing forward with all their might. Luke Shaw's long ball from halfway line found Romelu Lukaku whose flick-on header found his fellow Belgian, who found the bottom corner of the net ending the away side's run in Europe this season.

The goal meant that the home side did not make an unwanted record of going three straight European matches at home without a goal.

Fellaini's goal masked an otherwise unimpressive display from the English giants who were wasteful on a lot of occasions in the first half. Jose Mourinho made six changes to the starting XI from the draw against Crystal Palace. Marcus Rashford was picked to start over Lukaku and missed several chances despite being lively throughout the match.

It was an incredible night of Champions League football as it saw seven teams, many of them struggling in domestic leagues, qualify for the next round.

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#1 More shots, more goals

Jose Mourinho's men had 21 shots in total compared to Young Boys' 11 shots. A front three of Rashford, Jesse Lingard and the in-form Anthony Martial had a majority of these chances but failed to convert them into goals.

Rashford was lively from the first minute and proved to be a handful for the Swiss side's defense. Once again though, Rashford missed a chance to overthrow Lukaku as Mourinho's preferred No.9 as the Englishman missed a lot of opportunities to score. In the 5th minute, he was one-on-one with the keeper and tried to chip him only to see his attempt sail well over the crossbar.

Most of Martial's shots were blocked by the opposition defense or went off target. All the pressure from the home side finally counted when the Belgian midfielder netted once more late in the second half to get all three points.

#2 David De Gea to the rescue once more

De Gea- The

saviour

David De Gea has been bagging the 'best player trophy' at club awards since last four seasons and looks set to do it for the fifth season in a row.

The Spanish No.1 has been a bit off form recently as United has let in 1.5 goals per game this season which is mostly down to defensive mistakes. But, De Gea was on his best form against Young Boys as he made a magnificent save to preserve his clean sheet.

In the last quarter of the game, the away side won a corner which fell to Ulisss Garcia just outside the box. The Swiss defender's shot took two deflections, one from Chris Smalling and one from his own teammate as the ball looked on course to trick De Gea and cross the line but for his heroic reaction save.

De Gea stamped his tag of 'one of the best goalkeepers around' as many elite goalkeepers plying their trade at biggest clubs would not have been able to make that save.

#3 Toothless Young Boys attack facing a resilient United defense

Young Boys attackers left frustrated after their Champions League exit

With Victor Lindelof out for weeks due to injury, Mourinho decided to field the fit-again Phil Jones in the center of defense alongside Chris Smalling. Antonio Valencia returned after almost a month due to a facial surgery and Luke Shaw was available again after his absence against Crystal Palace due to suspension.

Nemanja Matic and match-winner Marouane Fellaini sat in front of the defense protecting the back four. Except for Roger Assale and Djibril Sow, no player from the away side looked like a potential threat to a second consecutive clean sheet at Old Trafford within 4 days.

Shaw also looked more lively after a break over the international break and the enforced rest at the weekend. He put in a shift at left back, also providing the key pass for the goal.