'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Marouane Fellaini (L) competes with Lars Bender (R). (Getty Images)
Carrick and Fellaini look a solid partnership, but Ferdinand falters
Starting his first Champions League game, Marouane Fellaini certainly gave a good account of himself playing alongside Michael Carrick. He added some steel to the centre of midfield, something United have sorely lacked since the departure of Roy Keane.
Apart from his tackling and his heading ability, his physical presence in midfield helped United take control of possession and also had a few good through balls, showing that he is not all brawn.
Trending
Whilst the two central midfielders quickly forged together a partnership, at the back Rio Ferdinand had a game to forget. In the first half, he was beaten for pace on a couple of occasions and also misplaced a few headers.
In the second half, his miscommunication with de Gea led to a corner from which Leverkusen scored their second goal. Whether it is age or just fatigue of playing games back-to-back, Ferdinand must rediscover his old self, if United are to win anything this year.
