Cristiano Ronaldo scored again for Manchester United, but they were beaten 2-1 late on by Young Boys in their Champions League opener after Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s red card.
Despite playing with 10 men 55 minutes, it looked like a solid defensive display would see United come away with a point.
But a late error from Jesse Lingard allowed Jordan Pefok (90+5) to slot home the winner with the final kick of the game.
Man Utd had been heavy favourites heading into the game, and made the perfect start as Ronaldo – who went level with Iker Casillas on all-time Champions League appearances (177) – slotted through David Von Ballmoos’ legs inside 13 minutes.
But the complexion of the match-up was changed in the 35th minute as Wan-Bissaka was shown a straight red for a heavy and clumsy challenge on Christopher Martins.
Sensing an opportunity and buoyed by a passionate home crowd, Young Boys pressed and probed for the leveller and made the breakthrough midway through the second half. Moumi Ngamaleu (66) poked the ball past David de Gea, before Pefok scored a late second following continuous pressure from the host.
It was a nightmare start for Man Utd in Group F, who will welcome Villarreal – who beat them in the Europa League final three months ago – to Old Trafford in two weeks’ time in desperate need of three points.
Both sides had sights of goal in the opening four minutes. Meschak Elia muscled Fred out of the way to pick up a loose Jadon Sancho pass, but driving into the box. However, his effort bobbled wide of the target. At the other end, Bruno Fernandes dinked a wonderful ball in from the left, trying to pick out Sancho’s run, but goalkeeper Von Ballmoos easily collected.
But soon after, the Young Boys stopper would have been disappointed in the manner he conceded the opener from Ronaldo. Fernandes lifted in a superb pass, picking out the run of Ronaldo at the back, who slotted the ball through Von Ballmoos’ legs as it trickled over the line.
