Real Madrid beat Manchester United 2-1 to keep their European dominance intact

Despite starting with Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench, United were easily troubled by the likes of Gareth Bale and Isco as they hardly got any breathing space throughout the game. A warning was given by midfielder Casemiro on as early as the 17 minute when his header hit the post and clattered away. United, however, improved little giving sufficient time and space to the likes of Luka Modric and Isco, who picked their men with ease.

And the inevitable happened just eight minutes later when a measured ball by full-back Dani Carvajal found the Brazilian international yet again as he slotted it past David De Gea at the far post. United’s new signing Victor Lindelof failed to keep track of Casemiro and although there was a hint of offside, he got the benefit of doubt.

It was 2-0 and United looked nowhere near the quality they were up against. Although they did pull one back when new recruit Romelu Lukaku scored a rebound after Nemanja Matic had tried from outside the box, it remained a one-time occurrence. United did increase their pressure late on in the game against a tiring Madrid side, but their class told.