Manchester United 5-0 RB Leipzig: Hits and flops from the five-goal thrashing at Old Trafford | UEFA Champions League 2020-21

#3 Hit: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United)

Wan-Bissaka was at his tough-tackling best against Leipzig

While most of the spotlight will be shone on Manchester United’s attackers, an equally praiseworthy facet of their display was their solidity at the back.

While Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof dealt capably with the threat of Yussuf Poulsen and Emil Forsberg, the stand-out defender was undoubtedly Wan-Bissaka. His trademark sliding tackles snuffed out many a Leipzig attack.

Matched up against the attacking Angelino, Wan-Bissaka was on top form for Manchester United. He made a series of immaculate tackles and important blocks to deny Leipzig’s Spanish wing-back on his forays forward.

In addition to being virtually faultless defensively, Wan-Bissaka also offered his side an offensive option, linking up well with Greenwood down the right flank.

With an important Premier League fixture against Arsenal coming up on Sunday, Solskjaer opted to give his full-back an extra bit of rest in preparation, taking him off with around 10 minutes left to play.

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#4 Flop: Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig)

Henrichs (R) was given a torrid time by Pogba and Co.

Deployed in a right-wing-back role, the German international was up against Paul Pogba, who took up a position on the left side of United’s midfield.

Besides the formidable threat posed by Pogba, Henrichs also had to deal with Anthony Martial, who often drifted off towards the left. Luke Shaw also got forward, advancing down United’s left flank with increasing regularity.

Burdened by his considerable defensive responsibilities, Henrichs was unable to offer Leipzig their customary width down the flank, which left his strikers bereft of quality service.

He did not fare much better while defending either, picking up a booking a minute into the second half for a late challenge on Pogba.

With the threat of a sending off looming over his head, Henrichs was taken off by Julian Nagelsmann just after the hour mark to complete a disappointing evening.

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#5 Hit: Mason Greenwood (Manchester United)

Greenwood bagged his first Champions League goal on his first Champions League start for United

Restored to the starting eleven for this fixture, Greenwood repaid his manager’s faith by netting a landmark goal that gave Manchester United the lead.

The youngster’s pinpoint finish made him the youngest Englishman to score on his first Champions League start since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2011. Only Brian Kidd and Wayne Rooney have scored a top-level European goal for Manchester United at a younger age than Greenwood’s 19 years and 27 days.

First @ChampionsLeague shot⏬First @ChampionsLeague goal𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 ✨#MUFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/zJmm1H4D8W

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 28, 2020

Besides his well-taken goal, Greenwood displayed excellent movement and ball retention during his time on the pitch without neglecting his defensive duties.

Despite a tricky start to the season due to off-field events, Greenwood displayed that he has plenty to offer Manchester United going forward. He surely worked his way into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans going forward, before being replaced by Rashford just after the hour mark.