Captain Pogba scores brace as United beat Young Boys in Switzerland
Paul Pogba scored twice as Manchester United kicked off their Champions League Group H campaign with a 3-0 win over Young Boys on Wednesday.
Jose Mourinho’s side were lucky not to be behind after a sluggish start against the Swiss champions, but World Cup winner Pogba handed them an undeserved lead after 35 minutes with a superb finish from 16 yards.
He followed that up with a cool penalty as United – who handed a debut to Diogo Dalot at right-back – went into the interval with a two-goal lead.
Pogba then turned provider in the 66th minute, feeding Anthony Martial for his first goal since January 20, as United got their Champions League campaign off to a resounding start.
Young Boys almost took a stunning lead after just eight minutes, but Guillaume Hoarau’s header from 12 yards flashed just wide of David de Gea’s post.
The United goalkeeper was called into action again to tip over Mohamed Ali Camara’s fizzing long-range drive before Marcus Rashford clipped an effort against the outside of the post as United belatedly woke from their slumber.
Pogba netted his first 10 minutes before the interval, shuffling the ball into space just inside the penalty area and steering a fine finish into the roof of David von Ballmoos’ net.
He grabbed his second in the 44th minute, stroking home a spot-kick after Kevin Mbabu was harshly judged to have deliberately handled Luke Shaw’s cross in the area.
Pogba was proving too hot for the hosts to handle and set up United’s third shortly after the hour, laying the ball into the path of Martial, whose right-foot effort from 10 yards was deflected past Von Ballmoos by Camara.
Substitute Juan Mata whipped a late effort narrowly past the post, while Romelu Lukaku saw a late effort denied by the offside flag, but it mattered little as a Pogba-inspired United got their Champions League campaign off to a flier.
Leading by example #MUFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/6YFvG02T4u
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 19, 2018
What does it mean: Giants lead the way in Group H
Juventus’ 2-0 win over Valencia, despite a sending off for Cristiano Ronaldo, means that the two heavyweights of the group are sitting pretty on three points apiece. United were far from flee-flowing against the spirited Swiss, but after weathering an early storm, they were ultimately able to puff their chests out and comfortably swat aside their less illustrious opponents.
Pat on the back: Pogba in imperious form
He has been making headlines off the pitch due to speculation over his long-term Old Trafford future, but United’s mercurial Frenchman was in fine form in Bern. His first was a glorious finish and he gave the goalkeeper little chance with a clinical penalty.
Boot up the backside: Rashford struggles to make impact
Recalled alongside Martial and Romelu Lukaku up front, Rashford finishes the night firmly in the shadow of his goal-scoring team-mate. The England striker hit the post in the first-half, but never came close again in a night characterised by sloppy passing and little threat.
What’s next?
United will be aiming for a third consecutive Premier League win when they host Wolves on Saturday and return to Champions League action in a fortnight against Valencia. Young Boys, meanwhile, take on Basel in domestic action on Sunday and then face a daunting trip to Juventus in their next Group H game.
