After Luke Shaw suffered what appeared to be a very serious leg injury, things got worse for Manchester United as the Red Devils squandered a lead to drop the opening match of Champions League group stage play 2-1 to PSV Eindhoven.
Fifteen minutes into the match, Shaw had to be stretchered off the pitch after getting his leg stuck under a tackle from PSV’s Hector Moreno. An air cast was placed on the defender’s right leg, and from the looks of the replays, could be out the rest of the season.
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After nearly a ten minute delay following Shaw’s injury, United had the better of play in the first half, and took the lead through Memphis Depay.
Memphis continued his goalscoring ways in the Champions League, as the former PSV man put United ahead against his old club in the 41st minute. Memphis danced between two defenders with some quick footwork before cooly passing his shot through the goalkeeper’s legs.
United looked to be in control, but PSV pulled one back before the break. Off a corner kick, Hector Moreno out-muscled Matteo Darmian to get a header on net. Ashley Young looked to have it covered at the back post, but it took a deflection off Daley Blind and into the net as the teams headed into the break tied at one.
After leading in the first half, United fell behind after a quick counter from PSV in the 57th minute. A giveaway by Darmian near midfield sprung the home side on the attack, with Mexico international Andres Guardado sending Maxime Lestienne down the left wing. Lestienne sent in a pinpoint cross to the back post, where Luciano Narsingh powered a header past David de Gea in goal.
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Juan Mata had a golden opportunity to draw the visitors level just minutes later, but scoffed his chance in front of goal. Bastian Schweinsteiger chipped a beautiful ball over the defense and into the path of Mata, but he seemingly couldn’t make up his mind whether to shoot or play a cross back in, as the ball simply hit off his foot and went out of play.
Luuk de Jong could have sealed the game for PSV with under ten minutes to play, but the captain skied a wide open shot over the bar as United clung onto hope for an equalizer.
However, that equalizer never came as PSV stayed strong and compact in their shape, with United struggling to break through the final line of defense. A poor result to start the Champions League campaign for Louis van Gaal’s men.