Manchester United beat Villarreal 2-0, in the Group F Tuesday night fixtures, during Michael Carrick’s first game as caretaker manager. So, yesterday, in finally some favourable Champions League football results, United won Carrick’s first game in charge as interim manager.
This win has qualified the Red Devils on from the group stage for the Champions League knockout stages.
Now, they just need a point against Young Boys at home on the penultimate matchday to secure the top spot.
Meanwhile, last night, the two teams had to delay the game due to referee Felix Brych’s headset batteries failing.
Champions League Football Results – United Won Carrick’s First Game
The First Half
When the game finally started, Scott McTominay headed Alex Telles’ free-kick into the side-netting as Manchester United took the lead.
At the other end, David de Gea saved Moi Gomez’s long-range effort before Yeremi Pino eluded Alex Telles.
But, luckily for United, Pino blasted just wide of the United goalpost from a tight angle.
Still, Pino continued to cause difficulties for United when he set up Dani Parejo, but De Gea saved the ball.
Telles then enjoyed some space upfront and produced a wonderful whipped cross that found Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, the Portuguese’s header, in response, was so weak that Geronimo Rulli easily handled the threatening ball.
The Second Half
Just after halftime, United’s first meaningful chance to take the lead came. Jadon Sancho picked out Fred on the edge of the Villarreal area, but Rulli again saved the effort from Fred.
On the other hand, De Gea also saved United once more as he made a fantastic reaction save. This save was to keep Manu Trigueros’ bouncing shot out of the net.
Then, Arnaut Danjuma’s drive flew over the top shortly after.
In desperate quest of an opener, Carrick brought on Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes (the football news) as substitutes.
And the Portuguese almost delivered when he set up Sancho, but in vain – Rulli remained stoic in the Villarreal goalpost.
Fred regained the ball high up the pitch from a free-kick and Ronaldo came to United’s rescue once more.
Upon Fred’s pass, we saw Ronaldo lobbing the ball over Rulli to give United a late lead.
Ronaldo got on the end of Juan Foyth’s weak header back to the goalkeeper. But his toe-poke was just wide of the target, and Rulli even pushed Rashford’s subsequent low shot behind.
When stoppage time approached, Jadon Sancho secured United’s triumph in this Group E match. He scored with a spectacular finish into the top of the net on the counterattack.
