Champions League talking points: Phil Jones and Paul Pogba with nights to forget, but Leroy Sane and Phil Foden shine
In typical Jose Mourinho fashion, Manchester United’s manager hasn’t been shy lately in letting the public know about his side’s crippling injury problems.
With Chris Smalling, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian all absent, it was Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo across the back four against Valencia. It’s fair to say it didn’t go to plan in their 2-1 defeat.
Rojo was replaced at half-time after Carlos Soler was gifted time and space to open the scoring, but he was one-upped by Jones later on.
The England man spotted the danger of Soler’s through-ball, but under pressure from Michy Batshuayi, slid in a brainless own goal past the onrushing Sergio Romero.
They may have already qualified but it was back to earth with a bump for United as Juventus claimed Group H top spot, despite their 2-1 loss to Young Boys.
Pogba shocker
“I’m looking for him to play well and to have a good impact in the game.” That was Mourinho throwing down the gauntlet pre-match to Paul Pogba.
Another swing and another miss for United, with Pogba spurning a brilliant chance at 1-0. Presented with half an unguarded goal while unmarked from Valencia’s header the midfielder side-footed wide.
Marcus Rashford headed in Ashley Young’s cross late on, but Juan Mata scuffed wide and United couldn’t undo their previous sloppiness as they slipped to a second Champions League defeat.
Sparkling Sane
Leroy Sane started the season in a strange place. Having been left out of Joachim Low’s Germany squad for the World Cup he found himself down the pecking order at Manchester City too.
Last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year was never doubted, merely forced to bide his time. It’s certainly come now.
The 22-year-old has struck a rich vein of form and he was the star in City’s 2-1 win over Hoffenheim at the Etihad Stadium.
His 30-yard free-kick to equalise before half-time saw him find the perfect combination of power and placement. And while he was guilty in fluffing a three-on-one chance, he made amends to finish another counter and seal an end-to-end match.
Fantastic Foden
Like his counterpart across Manchester, Pep Guardiola is struggling with injuries. Luckily, when you’re the manager of City you still have quality to pick from.
With no Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho or David Silva, it was Phil Foden’s time to shine – and the 18-year-old took it, putting in an assured display on his first Champions League start.
The midfielder’s intelligence, range of passing and appreciation of team-mates reflected what Guardiola said upon handing him a new contract.
Guardiola, a fair judge of talent, said Foden “has something unique”. On this display it’s hard to argue. Let’s just hope he gets more chances to show it.