Champions League: Injury to Shaw compounds United misery
PSV EINDHOVEN 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 1
MANCHESTER United captain Chris Smalling rued a nightmare start to their Champions League campaign after a serious injury to defender Luke Shaw compounded a wounding defeat at PSV Eindhoven last night.
United forward Memphis Depay scored a superb opener against his former club after the visitors’ night had been soured when England left-back Shaw was carried off with a double fracture to his right leg just 20 minutes into the match.
PSV defender Hector Moreno, whose tackle had felled Shaw, headed an almost instant equaliser via United’s Daley Blind just before half-time and Luciano Narsingh completed the Dutch champions’ comeback just before the hour.
“Tonight we’ve been well and truly punished,” said Smalling. “We missed that cutting edge in the final third to make the most of our possession. I think in the first half they scored from their only chance. It’s a very disappointing night. We scored a good goal and couldn’t really kick on from that so we’ve got a lot to learn.”
Shaw, who had put a difficult first season following a £30m move from Southampton behind him to play a key role this term, vowed to “come back stronger” from the injury. “Words can’t describe how gutted I am,” he added on Twitter.
Depay, a £25m summer signing from PSV, jinked past two defenders to slot United in front after 41 minutes but Moreno levelled from a corner and, against the run of play, Narsingh met Maxime Lestienne’s cross with a stooping header.