Pogba brace sets Man U in motion
ASSIST: CAPTAIN ALSO SET UP 3RD GOAL FOR MARTIAL
Paul Pogba was the driving force with a brace as Manchester United recovered from a shaky start to record an ultimately convincing 3-0 win away to Young Boys in their opening Champions League game in Bern last night.
Skipper Pogba’s superb opening goal cut down the Swiss champions in their prime, and he then doubled the lead from a penalty just before the break.
The France star also set up the third goal for compatriot Anthony Martial in the second half, as Jose Mourinho’s side safely negotiated this fixture on the synthetic surface at the Stade de Suisse.
Seemingly a club in crisis at the end of August following their 3-0 home defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, this was United’s third straight win since then, all away from home.
Tougher tests await in Group H, though, with Valencia due at Old Trafford in a fortnight and Juventus – who won 2-0 in Spain last night despite having Cristiano Ronaldo sent off – to come after that.
There were plenty of reasons to be wary of this trip, with United having lost to Basel on their last two visits to Switzerland, while Mourinho also lost in Basel with Chelsea in 2013.
Juventus believe they can win the Champions League with Ronaldo, but they had to start by beating Valencia without him.
A tearful Ronaldo left the pitch in disbelief in the 29th minute, having aimed a petulant, but seemingly harmless, kick at Valencia defender Jeison Murillo, prompting referee Felix Brych to brandish the red card.
Ronaldo dropped to the floor like the entire tournament was lost but Juve showed more composure, Miralem Pjanic scoring twice from the penalty spot to clinch a comfortable win.
Valencia were even awarded a third spot-kick of the match deep into injury-time but Daniel Parejo missed.
It remains to be seen how Uefa judge Ronaldo’s offence, and dissent, but he is set to miss the next European game at home to Young Boys on October 2.
Other results: Manchester City 1, Lyon 2; Real Madrid 3, Roma 0; Ajax 3, AEK Athens 0; Benfica 0, Bayern Munich 2; Shakhtar Donetsk 2, Hoffenheim 2. – AFP