well you can certainly feel the excitement tonight here at the theater of dreams old trafford i'm
derek ray here on the comedy position joined by lee dixon to help me describe all the action
and we've got so much to look forward to this is where it all begins in europe's premier
club competition the uefa champions league the group stage match day one action it is
manchester united up against iax well the first group stage of the champions league
is always exciting three points is vital for both teams to get off to a good start
or a draw may be a good result as well we're about to find out what happens
ah well manchester united have chosen this particular shape harry maguire plays
alongside victor lindelof in central defense fred starts alongside paul pogba in central midfield
and they line up with just the one striker looking to do a bit of damage
thank you here's the starting lineup for iax this particular setup is becoming more
and more in favor yes derek one central striker two wingers will provide the width a very narrow
three in midfield the back four the two full backs will be expected to support
but also defend and help out the centre-backs
it's the opening match day champions league group stage match day one underway
lindelof here's luke shaw
fred
marcus rashford and he's in
well there are two intercepts
takes on the shots and the keeper more than equal to it and united have the corner he's disappointed
with the fact they haven't taken the lead but he'd be pleased with the way they're playing
and now the delivery making sure nothing untoward happened well another corner kick conceded let's
see what they do this time goalkeeper doing his job getting the touch corner once more
and firing it into the area i must admit i thought he was going to score with that header
yeah it was a quality cross and he gets up well and it's just
wide
now the attack promising as it was scuppered there pressing high and they have the ball again
can he put them in front yes is the emphatic answer and you have to say it was on the cards
well here's the replay and derek if you get caught on the ball there you should be find
a week's wages it's terrible and he's punished some explaining to be done to his coach i feel
one nil then
fred
paul pogba
holland
very alert defending to put a stop to the chance
holland they need to get tighter this could square the game applying vigorous pressure
could it be wonderful block luna finance and here's fred
well that's really sound goalkeeping not letting the opposition have any scraps
shaw delivered into the area here well just went a bit too early offside
james well he's lost it
as you can see the visitors don't have too much of the ball but they won't mind they're
winning this game and why because their counter attack is absolutely fantastic
he's beaten as man disappointing for the players of the center that it didn't reach them
bruno fernandez
just what manchester united required they are level well let's look at this again
magical football on the break surprise is the key and it all leads to a 2v1 on
the keeper which he really doesn't have any chance with it's a great team goal
well the earlier goal canceled out what a piece
and a throw in it's going to be
decent position this for united to find them well it could be on for him here
and foiled only by the crossbar
rashford in the middle and manchester united might be able to profit here corner it is
set pieces that's so important listen to that noise derek listen it's awesome
and that will do it for the first half here at the theater of dreams
well a fine first half showing from bruno finance lee what have you made of what he's put into the
game well he stepped up to the plate to get that goal to put his team on equal terms can he and
so the second half of this champions league group stage match day one contest commences
edson alvarez graffenberg
oh nice ball
opportunity in the wide area and then with a real chance must be what's an important piece of
defending
and over comes the corner just unable to take advantage of that developing situation
marcus rashford
perfectly positioned to take it away
lisandro martinez edson alvarez
at times they make passing look easy and a good looking ball can we put it away
well derek we've just seen a remarkable save i thought it was in you thought it was in
everybody thought he was in and time for the change now
half an hour remaining then
well the visit is very much dictating the tempo over the last 15 minutes or so can they keep that
pressure on and get the goal their play deserves they just need to be a little bit more clinical
and intercept ticket
edson alvarez
lisandro martinez alvarez now classen aler edson alvarez plenty of players waiting in the middle
looking for that final pass looking for the goal that would put them ahead rashford and the
counter attackers on options available they need to get bodies back and it's played into the center
technical excellence to finish that one off wonderful to have those in your repertoire
well here's the replay derek i love a ball into the box you know that
it's a beauty and it's all about the time he allows himself
by being patient waiting for the ball to drop and then volume with such precision
uh
well a dramatic moment near the end and that might well be the decider 15 minutes remaining
brian graffenberg alvarez now graffenberg
can they trouble the opposition this time brian graffenberg tagliafico good physical
play well the perfect tackle really and now a throw in and a substitution in the offing
well it's really loud in here right now united almost over the line most of the hard work is done
holland beautifully disguised ball
poland very alert defending to cut off the supply
tagliafico
alvarez now davides
and time for the change now
and the electronic board delivers the news two minutes of stoppage time pogba james
bruno fernandez has it rashford and he was in the right place to intercept
full-time and manchester united claim all three points in their opening fixture in the champions
league yeah really really strong start that's what you need but with five games to go very important
you stay in the now one game at a time derrick bit of a cliche now this man has given us plenty of
reasons to dwell on his performance this evening lee well he's always a danger isn't he no more so
when he grabbed that goal he never disappoints me when i watch him he's just too good simple