The National's Sport cover for the Thursday, October 1 issue, featuring Chris Smalling and Memphis Depay as the former scored the winner for Manchester United in the Champions League.
United revived their European fortunes after a surprise opening loss to PSV Eindhoven, defeating Wolfsburg 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Richard Jolly writes of the result:
“Louis van Gaal may dream of paradise but, for half an hour, it seemed paradise would have to wait. Manchester United were a goal down to Wolfsburg, staring at a second successive Uefa Champions League defeat, their worst ever start to this competition and, potentially, an early exit.
“Then they pulled off a comeback victory, courtesy of goals from Juan Mata and Chris Smalling, that means Van Gaal’s sun-kissed retirement stands a greater chance of becoming a reality in 2017. The Dutchman wants to take United to a Champions League final in the 20 months before his current contract expires. If not, his career may go into extra-time, forcing him to delay his departure to the Portuguese holiday home he branded “paradise”.
“If his ambitions remain difficult to achieve, United at least have two chances of achieving them, this year and next. Despite their opening-day loss against PSV Eindhoven, they still have every opportunity to progress from Group B. Even as United illustrated their habit of making life difficult for themselves, the Bundesliga runners-up were beaten by the Premier League leaders.”
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