Manchester United conceded a dramatic stoppage-time goal as they lost to Young Boys, the fourth-placed team in the Swiss League,despite Cristiano Ronaldo scoring on his Champions League return.
United only managed two shots, the fewest Opta have on record in any of their 138 Champions League matches since 2003-04.
Ronaldo, who became the joint all-time Champions League appearance holder on his 177th appearance in the competition, put United in front with one of those after an excellent pass from fellow Portuguese Bruno Fernandes in the 13th minute.
But United suffered a huge set back on 35 minutes when Aaron Wan-Bissaka received a straight red for a dangerous challenge on Christopher Martins.
Cameroon winger Moumi Ngamaleu’s equalised after 66 minutes and United were holding on for a draw until a 95th-minute mistake by substitute Jesse Lingard allowed Jordan Siebatcheu to pounce for a winner.
Having missed out on qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition last season, United now host Villarreal – who they lost to in last season’s Europa League final – in their next Group F game.
“It’s in football in general, not just the Champions League, discipline is a huge part of the game,” said a disappointed United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“Aaron’s normally a very astute tackler – one of the best in the world.
“Of course we’ve lost the opportunity to get three points but we’ve got two home games next and got to focus on them.
“Today in the last seconds, Jesse just wants to play it safe and just one misplaced pass and you’ve conceded a goal.
“That’s football at the highest level. Lack of concentration, make a mistake, and you get done.”
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The problem with Ronaldo is he considers himself above defensive work and doesn't cover for others, he presses a bit but only at the front, having a good set of abs accentuated by a good tan doesn't mean a player has a good workrate , dont see Ronaldo puffing dont know how fit he is but he doesn;t work on the field , once you go to 10 men then you need to take Ronaldo off first priority. Not that I watched this match I am just speculating based on watching Ronaldo in the past, as its my policy now no a-league no sub. As I pointed out the two most sub par players in terms of distance covered per minute excluding center backs in the world cup in Brazil was Messi followed by Ronaldo. SBW rugby career based on looks and abs with Adidas wanting him in the All Blacks for marketing hoodies and sportswear at least Ronaldo is a world class finisher scoring heaps of goals what SBW was useful for in rugby was beyond me, and SBW also lacked fitness you could tell really easily in rugby sevens and boxing. That middle aged South African boxer not only didnt have abs he has a massive gut and yet was fitter than SBW.