Young Boys 0-3 Manchester United: 5 talking points

Manchester United began their Champions League campaign with a comfortable victory over newcomers Young Boys at the Stade de Suisse.

Captain Paul Pogba’s superb left-footed strike gave United the lead against the run of play, before the French star doubled his, and his side’s lead from the penalty spot. Pogba then turned provider in the second half, capitalizing on spaces left behind by a desperate Young Boys’ attack to surge into before feeding compatriot Anthony Martial to slot home United’s third, and secure the points.

Here are the talking points from the game in Switzerland.

#1 Diogo Dalot impresses on United debut

BSC Young Boys v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League Group H

With Antonio Valencia not having traveled with the squad for precautionary measures, all eyes were on United’s summer signing in Diogo Dalot. The ex-Porto fullback, having sufficiently recovered from a knee injury that kept him out of action for over six months, was handed his United debut as he was named in the starting line-up at right back. Doubts were always raised on the capability of a relatively unknown figure on the European stage to perform on the same wavelength.

But almost immediately, the 20-year old displayed the attributes for which United were prepared to shell out a hefty investment on. He displayed the liveliness that one would usually associate Valencia with, pressing high up the pitch and channeling into space on the byline. His pace was a handful for Kevin Mbabu to defend against, as the Portuguese full back outran his opponent a handful of times in the opening 15 minutes.

Once United got the lead, the debutant’s job switched from attack to defence, which, apart from a few glitches while tracking Mbabu, he was able to get done professionally. Although it was not an ‘instant success’ performance, Dalot did provide glimpses of what he brings to the team through his pace down the flank and ability to defend when required to change direction.

#2 Fassnacht’s pace and aggression troubles United

On a night of learning for the Champions League debutants, one of Young Boys’ standout performances came courtesy of winger Christian Fassnacht. The 24-year old was a menace on both wings (switching with Miralem Sulejmani) with his aggression on the ball, bringing it forward and unsettling both Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof. In addition, he also provided decent defensive cover which a manager looks for when his fullbacks advance.

The Swiss international also showed that he wasn’t one to shy away from a shot, testing David de Gea from long range and forcing the Spaniard to tip a fierce strike over the bar in the first half. His pace on the ball sent Luke Shaw toppling over and it needed last ditch intervention from Smalling to prevent his shot from finding its way towards goal.

Though substituted off in the 65th minute, Fassnacht did enough to ask a question or two of Young Boys’ more established and experienced opposition. Valencia and Juventus’ coaching staff will have an eye on the winger when their teams face off against the Swiss side in upcoming matchdays.

#3 Young Boys’ finishing scripts their downfall

Young Boys’ game-plan was clear right from kick-off – give United the initiative and seek to catch them on the break. They sat back for large periods to an extent that both their forwards were often seen in their own half, ready to receive a pass in the event of United losing possession. The plan seemed to work, except that the final product was non-existent throughout the game. They can be credited for doing the basics of counter-attacking right – use the fullbacks to exploit the space left by the opposition fullbacks who went on the offensive, tease retreating United defenders with long passes towards either of the forwards and finally approach the box with an intent to shoot.

Had their finishing been as clinical as the build-up, one might have witnessed a result different from the actual 3-0 scoreline. David de Gea made a few decent saves, but Young Boys needed to make the most of their half-chances against a team of the stature of Manchester United. The finishing from set-pieces was also average, with defender Camara missing the most glaring opportunity by slicing his shot wide of the post from six yards after United failed to clear a Sulejmani corner. The hosts will look at their final ball as a major improvement point as they prepare to give a good account of themselves in a tough Chanmpions League group.

#4 Pogba’s performance reflects quality between sides

When a powerhouse side like Manchester United aren’t playing at top gear, they usually rely on one of their star players to make a difference and help them dig out a result. On Wednesday, it was skipper Paul Pogba who stepped up and delivered a moment of magic to provide his side a lead they barely deserved based on the run of play. The World Cup winner skipped past Camara and manufactured just half a yard of space to unleash a lethal shot into the top left corner to take the sting out of what was an energetic performance from the hosts until that point.

The goal drastically improved Pogba’s personal display as he himself began to locate teammates with lofted, cross-field passes which he is so often associated with, but accused of not executing at the consistency with which he is capable of. This has been a topic of debate ever since he re-joined United from Juventus for a club-record fee, a talking point that has led to repeated arguments between Jose Mourinho and the media and culminating with reports speculating unrest between the duo.

With a first class performance post the goal, Pogba proved to his doubters, at least temporarily, that he still has the desire to help United achieve the success that is expected of them. He added a penalty and an impressive assist for Martial to rubberstamp his influence on the outcome of the game not necessarily dominated by United from start to finish.

#5 United’s front three express themselves in the second half

While Paul Pogba deserves a major dose of credit for his performance, one mustn’t overlook the manner in which United’s front three of Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford combined in the 18-yard box to improve United’s attacking index in the game. Martial, who has often cut a frustrated figure this season regarding his game-time, probably played his best game of the season with a series of mazy runs towards the byline.

He also showcased the presence of mind to look up and seek teammates to provide a pass. Marcus Rashford, on the other wing, was another who benefitted from being given the confidence of a starting spot by Mourinho with an intensity-filled performance through the heart of the Young Boys’ defence, whose set-up forced the 20-year old to play narrow and leave it to Dalot to do the job on the wing.

Lukaku, although not on the scoresheet, kept the ball in dangerous postitions and laid off Rashford and Martial on numerous occasions – particularly in the second half when Young Boys were committing men forward – to create chances to increase their advantage.

On the whole, United’s front three showed their ability to inflict collateral damage on the opposition when they can link up and get in behind the defence. Though initially on the backfoot with some disciplined defending by the home side, it was all about Martial, Lukaku and Rashford once the deadlock was broken. The trio could have added more goals in the second half but for some close offside calls and blocked shots. Will Jose Mourinho stick with the three against Wolves at the weekend or do Alexis Sanchez and Jesse Lingard return to the reckoning?

Edited by Ben Winfield