Three things we learned from Manchester United’s defeat in Switzerland

Ahead of the game, few would have expected Manchester United to leave their first Champions League encounter with nothing to show for it. After a promising start in the league, however, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his team succumbed to their first defeat of the season in Switzerland.

Cristiano Ronaldo gave United the lead after just 13 minutes but the game would quickly turn on its head as Aaron Wan-Bissaka was given his marching orders later in the first half.

The hosts equalised after roughly an hour and stole all three points with just seconds remaining on the clock, owing to a poor backpass from the unfortunate Jesse Lingard.

There are several takeaways from the drab loss but Stretty News has selected a few below.

Poor start but United remain favourites to win the group
A defeat on the opening day of the Champions League looks poor on paper but Manchester United remain the favourites to win the group. United started last season’s campaign in terrific fashion, beating both Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig in the opening two rounds.

Not many will need reminding as to how that group stage ended for United. There were mitigating circumstances in United’s defeat in Switzerland and although there will be negative reactions, all is not lost and there are five games remaining.

Read more: Fabrizio Romano says Man Utd midfielder’s contract extension is ‘getting really, really close’

Scott McTominay’s value is highlighted once again
In the defeat to Young Boys, United’s options in midfield were few when the home side pressed for an equaliser. Donny van de Beek was withdrawn at half-time in favour of a system change.

United badly missed McTominay’s presence in midfield – he remains the club’s most stable option through the middle and is hugely underrated. McTominay has evolved into a reliable performer and his last two starts, against Leeds this season and the Europa League final last season, were world-class outings.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy the odds
Manchester United’s supremo forward Cristiano Ronaldo is continuing to prove the doubters wrong as he extends his goalscoring run. After scoring a brace on his debut last weekend, the Portugal international scored once again in the unfortunate defeat.

Ronaldo was isolated for the rest of the game but what’s for sure is that there is a promising season ahead for the 36-year-old.

More Stories Champions League Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer