Manchester United gave their fans something to cheer about as they qualified for the next round in the Champions League, procuring a last-gasp win against Young Boys at Old Trafford. After goalless 90 minutes, just when it was looking like another frustrating night in the European competition for Manchester United, the winner came from the feet of Marouane Fellaini in the 91st minute. The Belgian took down the ball flicked on by his compatriot Romelu Lukaku and shot it into the net on the turn to ensure three points for the Red Devils and the relief was evident from the reaction of their manager Jose Mourinho on the sideline.
The Swiss club made the most of their limited resources and went on to make it a hard-fought affair for the Red Devils in their own backyard. However, it was Manchester United who went over the line to register a victory in their fifth encounter of the season in this European competition and made most of the “Fergie Time” with Sir Alex Ferguson watching from the gallery.
Here is how the Manchester United players were rated from their hard-fought win against Young Boys.
David de Gea: 7
Made a number of good saves and ensured that nothing went past him on the night.
Antonio Valencia: 6
The captain made the most of the opportunity as he returned to first-team football after a long injury lay-off. Went onto delivering a number of telling crosses in the box. Looked a little shaky while defending though.
Chris Smalling: 6
Did well to keep the opposition attackers under check.
Phil Jones: 6
Partnered Smalling well to keep his side out of harm’s way.
Luke Shaw: 7
Went up and down the pitch with pace and showed his skills while dribbling and crossing the ball in the box.
Fred: 7
Good outing for the Brazilian as he kept the ball under control and passed the ball into the danger area.
Nemanja Matic: 6
Did well to vie for the ball and made several crucial interceptions in the middle of the pitch. Ball control was lacking though.
Marouane Fellaini: 7
Hair or no hair, the big Belgian is always committed to getting his side out of trouble. After a night of vying for the ball in the midfield and a show of ultimate physicality against the opposition defenders, he scored the all-important winner for the Red Devils and ensured safe passage to the next round.
Jesse Lingard: 6
Kept the opposition defenders on their toes with his brilliant dribbling skills. Lacked the finishing touch though.
Anthony Martial: 6
Was another frustrating night for the Frenchman as he could not turn the chances into goals. Did well to keep the pressure on the opposition though.
Marcus Rashford: 6
Looked lethal on occasions but was ineffective.
Substitutes
Romelu Lukaku: 5
Did well to get the ball in the path of Fellaini with his flick to bring up the winner for his side. Looked far from threatening though.
Paul Pogba: 4
Nothing special from the Frenchman as he came on for Fred in the 64th minute.
Juan Mata: 5
Did well in the limited time he got on the pitch and delivered a few good passes in the box.
