Champions League, Barcelona 3-0 Manchester United: 3 things we learned from the match

#2 United lacked width through the right flank

United played three central players on the right side of the pitch but struggled to have any width through the right flank. Victor Lindelof, a centre-back, played as the right-back, as Phil Jones and Chris Smalling played as the central defenders. Moreover, defensive midfielder Scott McTominay played as the right-sided midfielder in a 4-3-3, and Jesse Lingard played as the right winger.

As a result, United had almost no width through the right flank. All their attacks were through the left side of the pitch primarily, as the likes of Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Ashley Young tried to create some moves.

Young played as the left back following Luke Shaw’s absence and tried to make his presence felt with his overlapping runs at times. United actually started in an emphatic fashion and dominated the game for the first 10 minutes. Rashford hit the crossbar in the third minute of the match, and United looked to be well in course for finding the opening goal.

However, their dominance did not last long as Barcelona took the reigns of the match gradually.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Jong Ching Yee