Young Boys 0 Manchester United 3: Pogba double inspires Red Devils

Paul Pogba scored twice as Manchester United kicked off their Champions League Group H campaign with a 3-0 win over Young Boys on Wednesday. 

Jose Mourinho's side were lucky not to be behind after a sluggish start against the Swiss champions, but World Cup winner Pogba handed them an undeserved lead after 35 minutes with a superb finish from 16 yards. 

He followed that up with a cool penalty as United – who handed a debut to Diogo Dalot at right-back - went into the interval with a two-goal lead. 

Pogba then turned provider in the 66th minute, feeding Anthony Martial for his first goal since January 20, as United got their Champions League campaign off to a resounding start.

Young Boys almost took a stunning lead after just eight minutes, but Guillaume Hoarau's header from 12 yards flashed just wide of David de Gea's post.

The United goalkeeper was called into action again to tip over Mohamed Ali Camara's fizzing long-range drive before Marcus Rashford clipped an effort against the outside of the post as United belatedly woke from their slumber.

Pogba netted his first 10 minutes before the interval, shuffling the ball into space just inside the penalty area and steering a fine finish into the roof of David von Ballmoos' net.

He grabbed his second in the 44th minute, stroking home a spot-kick after Kevin Mbabu was harshly judged to have deliberately handled Luke Shaw's cross in the area.

Pogba was proving too hot for the hosts to handle and set up United's third shortly after the hour, laying the ball into the path of Martial, whose right-foot effort from 10 yards was deflected past Von Ballmoos by Camara.

Substitute Juan Mata whipped a late effort narrowly past the post, while Romelu Lukaku saw a late effort denied by the offside flag, but it mattered little as a Pogba-inspired United got their Champions League campaign off to a flier.

What does it mean: Giants lead the way in Group H    

Juventus' 2-0 win over Valencia, despite a sending off for Cristiano Ronaldo, means that the two heavyweights of the group are sitting pretty on three points apiece. United were far from flee-flowing against the spirited Swiss, but after weathering an early storm, they were ultimately able to puff their chests out and comfortably swat aside their less illustrious opponents.


Pat on the back: Pogba in imperious form

He has been making headlines off the pitch due to speculation over his long-term Old Trafford future, but United's mercurial Frenchman was in fine form in Bern. His first was a glorious finish and he gave the goalkeeper little chance with a clinical penalty.


Boot up the backside: Rashford struggles to make impact        

Recalled alongside Martial and Romelu Lukaku up front, Rashford finishes the night firmly in the shadow of his goal-scoring team-mate. The England striker hit the post in the first-half, but never came close again in a night characterised by sloppy passing and little threat.


What's next?

United will be aiming for a third consecutive Premier League win when they host Wolves on Saturday and return to Champions League action in a fortnight against Valencia. Young Boys, meanwhile, take on Basel in domestic action on Sunday and then face a daunting trip to Juventus in their next Group H game.

Latest in
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Latest in News
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report