We would have taken a score draw before the match but l have a feeling we missed a chance to kill the tie off. The first half we were a little hit and miss yet made a couple of decent chances and had little real threat from Brugge. Then the ball went out for a goal kick to them and l was a little distracted before l saw their player lob the ball over Romero into our net. There seemed to be a little dispute about the goal from our players but it was given and l cant really comment as l didnt see what happened. They quite clearly fancied their front players speed and running ability against our defence but the goal apart and 1 or 2 dangerous crosses we seemed to handle the problem reasonably enough. We seemed a little weak in midfield quite clearly missing Fred and new boy Fernandes. The distribution from the back was poor and Lindelöf was particularly wayward, we struggled to keep the ball moving forward being forced backwards far too often. Thankfully our goal was created by a bad pass by them which Martial latched on to and charged forward to plant the ball in their net for the equaliser. As happy as the goal made me it also illustrated how frustrating Martial can be when he is capable of finishing of that calibre. Going in at half time in 1-1 was as good as we could have expected. In the second half we most definitely had more control and were the better team. Even before the substitutions we were better but when we brought Fred lghalo and Fernandes on l thought we began to really dominate and this is when l think we should have killed them off. But we go into the second leg with a slight advantage and should complete the job at Old Trafford next week. Romero had very little to do apart from deal with a few dodgy back passes and of course pick the ball out of the net. Defensively we were fairly sound but l thought we were better when we changed from a 3 to a 4. Midfield was pretty erratic until the subs came on and the front players didnt really do enough. I thought Shaw had a good game and he seems to be getting his career back on track so l make him my MOTM. Next match is Watford at home in Premier League on Sunday. Come on United! 🇾🇪
