well nights like these are just what you hope for as a spectator a warm welcome
i'm derek ray and joining me for commentary is the former arsenal defender lee dixon
and this is where it all starts in the uefa champions league the group stage and match
day one my goodness so much to look forward to it is young boys taking on manchester united
well cheers derek these home fans are going to enjoy this they surely must with the team
coming as big as this to your club make sure you don't let yourself down don't let those fans down
don't let your families down really really give it everything you've got
it looks pretty orthodoxyly yeah i love this formation 442 the two main strikes
will stay close together the full-backs will link up with the wide players the
two holding midfielders sit in front of the centre-backs very solid look about this team
and here's the lineup for manchester united david decayed stands between the posts rafael
varan plays alongside harry maguire in central defense paul pogba plays alongside nemanja matic
in the center of midfield and leading the attack today is the heart to contain cristiano ronaldo
it's the opening match day champions league group stage match day one underway
abby
on the ball rustenberger under pressure doesn't seem to be bothering him
a bit of running room now on the wing
adam juan bisaka oh he's given the ball away
it is the perfect stage for a top player and this man takes every game very seriously
he's out for girls cristiano ronaldo to jump in front well no way through
greenwood and he read it well intercepting it
an alert intervention
continues his run
still passing it around with authority after the foul
a chance to contemplate what is next and perhaps a goal from this free kick
well that was close to free-kick perfectionally yeah it just didn't
quite get enough dip on it did he over the wall but just over the bar as well
has he
over it comes well no end products
that's a routine take
over the touch line for a throw in
cristiano ronaldo oh a nice looking pass
nil it is they've been pushing for the opener and now they have it
well as we see again here the damage is started with a beauty of a through ball and still with
lots to do he unleashes a very powerful effort gave the keeper little chance lovely goal that was
well he's got to be delighted with his players a big smile on his face
they've got the noses in front they're in the lead well done
so they're playing again it's manchester united with the lead here
jean-pierre
united regaining possession
oh nice ball
camera
united's struggling in terms of possession but they won't mind me that they're winning this game
they're sucking their opponents onto them and with
the pace they've got in midfield and up front they're really causing problems
chance to cross pogba ultra matic has eyes for goal sound piece of goalkeeping
there be [ __ ]
super tackle and they've won possession
any sort of lead is important they have the lead what have you made of it so far
well united will be happy if it stays like this still some work to do in the second half though
with the clock ticking down before the half time cup of tea it's important you keep your
concentration and just one minute of time added on for stoppages he takes aim
well he's been kicking and heading every ball in that technical area
they've been good up to now but it's still fine margins
and there it is the halftime whistle
well an influential presence up to this point bruno finance lee your thoughts well derek
you're right he has played well and goals win games he's been a joy to watch in this sport
and so the second half of this champions league group stage match day one contest commences
happy to pass the ball but remaining patient
and they have possession again
galamour
another perfect position to read it
well he's won the ball
pressure exerted can he remain calm
while still searching for the equalizer but not passing it anxiously giving the ball away
difficult to stop him
must be a really good diving stop
and a substitution in the offing
and he's fired over the corner and maybe scope for united to
add to their advantage with this set piece
and overcomes the corner
shaw here's juan bisaka not a very good challenge and he steps past his man
and continues his run juan bisaca just wanted to get it out of there
hefty it's worth fastnacht
this could pose problems for the defenders and it all counts for naught
fred pogba has it
greenwood
a deft clearance mason greenwood fred now with sancho can he convert just couldn't get it through
and he did what he had to do defensively
range he won't soon forget absolutely right out of the top drawer
well derek it's a blistering strike he's so far out as well caught everybody unawares
let's have another view of that goal
well these players have followed he's every command and some the coach must be delighted
so two-nil now
quickly
well he really read that brilliantly
it might be perfectly set up for the counter attack you know
fruitful looking attack
possibilities inside the box
no-nonsense clearance
pressure exerted but he keeps the ball strong play here
so a personnel change then
inside the final two minutes of this contest
and if you're wondering about out of time two minutes it'll be
and putting his body on the line
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 derek bit of a cliche
and on the back of this no doubt about it cristiano ronaldo generating headlines
well he played well scored a goal what a good performance from him