Champions League: Manchester United 0-1 Barcelona - 3 reasons why United lost the game

#3 Key players failed to perform

He failed to exploit the spaces behind the two centre-backs

Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba are two players who can change the game with a moment of brilliance but failed to impose themselves on the game yesterday. Rashford returned to the starting 11 after suffering an ankle injury and didn't look anywhere near his best.

He failed to exploit the spaces behind the two centre-backs and was outplayed by 32-year-old Gerard Pique for most of the game. He had an opportunity to bring Manchester United back into the game when the ball dropped to him in the 18-yard box, but volleyed wide.

Paul Pogba was another player who struggled to impose himself on the game. He failed to have a single shot on target and also failed to create opportunities for his team. The two players need to up their game for the return leg in order to get past Barcelona next week.