It was for around an hour a broadly terrible game, which was much as Manchester United probably would have wanted it. This was not in any sense the turning over of a new leaf or a bold new era dawning, but after so many poor performances over the past month, there was at least a semblance of defensive resolve. Moreover, a 2–0 win at Villarreal secured Man United’s place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a game to spare.
Not for the first time this season, Man United was grateful to Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored the opener for his sixth goal in five Champions League matches.