The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Marouane Fellaini celebrates with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho after his injury-time goal beat Young Boys and secured a place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Manchester clubs advance to last 16 with game to spare
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 YOUNG BOYS 0
Jose Mourinho let his pent-up anger out on some water bottle holders after dreadful United rode their luck to seal progress to the Champions League last16 through Marouane Fellaini’s late strike at Old Trafford.
With Juventus beating Valencia in the other Group H match, United knew victory against the Swiss champions – a side they beat 3-0 in Switzerland – would secure progress with a match to spare.
But Mourinho’s underperforming side lacked creativity, cohesion and confidence against a Young Boys side displaying all those characteristics, only for Fellaini to secure a lucky 1-0 win and progress to the knockout phase in stoppage time.
The United manager’s frustration had been growing throughout the match and his angry celebration said it all as he kicked one water bottle carrier and threw another to the ground.
Victory meant United head to Valencia next month with progress assured, but last night’s performance raises more questions than answers given their tepid response to Saturday’s goalless draw with struggling Crystal Palace.
Mourinho called into question some of his players’ “heart” and desire after that match, so his decision to drop Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba to the bench raised eyebrows almost as much as his decision to omit Alexis Sanchez entirely.
The United manager’s exasperation was clear and only increased as the match wore on with Marcus Rashford missing a number of chances before Fellaini eventually secured a late win much to the relief of his manager and the Old Trafford faithful.
LYON 2 MANCHESTER CITY 2
Aymeric Laporte and Sergio Aguero struck as City twice came from behind to qualify for the last 16 with a draw in France.
The outstanding Maxwel Cornet grabbed both goals for the hosts, who outplayed the Premier League champions for large spells at the Groupama Stadium.
The Ivory Coast forward opened the scoring in the 55th minute and restored the lead after Laporte’s first equaliser, but Aguero had the final word.
The result was enough to ensure City will play in the knockout stages, but they will have to wait until the visit of Hoffenheim next month to try to secure top spot in Group F.
Given the way the game unfolded, City will be glad to be leaving France with a point.
Lyon, who had won at the Etihad, could easily have been out of sight by half-time, such was their early dominance. Memphis Depay and Cornet both fluffed good chances and the latter volleyed against the woodwork.
City improved after the break but Lyon continued to look dangerous.