Manchester United made a triumphant return to the Champions League on Tuesday night, beating Swiss champions Basel 3-0 to kick-off their group stage travails.
Goals from Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford may have given the Reds all three points at Old Trafford, but this was far from their best performance. The soaking wet weather and an early injury to stand-in captain Paul Pogba did not help matters.
Fellaini, who came on as an early substitute for Paul Pogba, headed home the first after being found by a pinpoint cross from Ashley Young on the right wing. Lukaku then doubled the tally in the second half in identical fashion, this time Daley Blind supplying the perfect cross.
The game then meandered to a conclusion, with Rashford’s maiden Champions League goal rounding off United’s night. José Mourinho will be happy with his side’s performance, picking up the three points after a year away from Europe’s premier club competition.
Here are five things we learned from United’s opening Champions League encounter:
Pogba's injury a big blow
Given his fine start to the season, Paul Pogba’s injury in the first half was a cruel blow for the Frenchman and United.
He went down clutching his hamstring near the 20th minute after overstretching for a tackle, and initial signs indicate that he could be out for at least four or five weeks, with Pogba leaving Old Trafford on crutches after the match.
Although Mourinho will be delighted with Fellaini’s impact after replacing Pogba, the Frenchman is in a different league when it comes to playing style. His creativity and power in midfield gives United added impetus and he will not be easily replaced.
Fellaini continues to deliver
José Mourinho told the assembled press in his pre-match press conference that the Belgian international was more important to Manchester United than many people thought.
Some would have scoffed at the above statement, but Fellaini continues to prove his doubters wrong, with this latest performance being a match-winning one.
Answering his manager’s call when Pogba went down with injury, his towering presence immediately gave Basel’s defence a massive headache, and it was no surprise when he powered home the header to give United the lead.
He then provided the assist for United’s third, squaring the ball across the box for Rashford to scuff home. Although he isn’t the most elegant of players, no United fan can deny the fact that Fellaini has a vital role in this side.
Young proves an able deputy
With Antonio Valencia given a rest for this Champions League encounter, Ashley Young was given a chance by José Mourinho to strut his stuff and repaid his manager’s faith with a fine performance.
Haven bee given extra responsibility by donning the captain’s armband after Pogba’s departure, he put in a performance worthy of a United captain, with frequent attacking forays down the right-hand side.
He also put in several good deliveries, one of which was an inch-perfect cross that found Fellaini’s head for United’s opener – a reminder of why United signed him from Aston Villa all those years ago.
Young may not play all that much this season, but Mourinho know he can count on him when the occasion arises.
Confidence booster for Lindelof
After a slow start to life at Old Trafford, Victor Lindelöf finally got to step on the pitch in United colours, and put in an assured performance.
Aside from almost giving away a penalty by sliding in on Mohamed Elyounoussi (who fortunately decided to stay up), the Swede barely put a foot wrong, distributed the ball well and kept the defending simple and to the point.
It may have only been Basel, but it will surely have been a confidence booster for him. The next challenge: forcing his way into this United side by breaking the Phil Jones and Eric Bailly partnership.
Lukaku steps up to the big stage
Can he adjust to leading the line for Manchester United? Yes. Can he score goals on Europe’s biggest stage? Yes.
Plenty of questions have been asked of Romelu Lukaku after his big money move this summer, and he keeps answering them in emphatic fashion.
Another goal tonight makes it 10 goals in eight games for club and country, with his maiden goal in the Champions League a fine one; shrugging off the attentions of two Basel defenders to head home.
He also showed that he is far-from being a ‘one-dimensional’ striker, often pulling into the channels and linking well with Henrikh Mkhitaryan. It may have been Basel, but more of that and United will be firing on all cylinders.