Manchester United vs. Wolfsburg: Score and Reaction from 2015 Champions League

Manchester United beat Wolfsburg 2-1 at Old Trafford in a nail-biting night in the Champions League.

Goals from Juan Mata and Chris Smalling earned United the victory after Daniel Caligiuri gave Wolfsburg an early lead.

United began the game with Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger in central midfield, with Michael Carrick unavailable because of injury. Antonio Valencia started at right-back, allowing Matteo Darmian to play on the opposite side, but the tactical decision punished the Red Devils early on. 

Wolfsburg brought in Maximilian Arnold for former Chelsea man Andre Schurrle, with Luiz Gustavo missing out through injury.

Jon Super/Associated Press

It was the Germans who stunned Old Trafford after just four minutes as Caligiuri took advantage of a horrendous defensive error by Valencia. The Ecuadorian failed to push up, playing the Wolfsburg midfielder onside, and the 27-year-old finished with style.

The Bundesliga outfit was good value for its lead, looking comfortable in possession as United hustled to get back in the game.    

Mata was United's most likely attacking force, with the Spaniard looking in good form in the wider areas, as highlighted by the Manchester Evening News' James Robson:

Caligiuri turned from hero to villain on the half-hour mark, handling the ball in the area and conceding a penalty from a Mata cross. And it was the Spain international on spot-kick duties for the night—with Mata neatly tucking away his penalty with ease to make it 1-1.

Squawka Football highlighted yet another Mata goal for the Red Devils:

Football writer Offside Liam hailed Mata for getting United back into the game, speaking of his chemistry with young striker Anthony Martial:

But with United flattering to deceive at times, Robson commented on the chatter in the press box as the half came to a close:

United were in the ascendancy in the closing moments of the first half, but the visitors looked dangerous and quick on the break with the ball at their feet. 

German international prodigy Julian Draxler was in fine fettle, running at the United defence and constantly causing the opposition midfield a wealth of problems. 

Journalist Jonas Giaever tipped his hat towards the Germans' early endeavours as the teams went down the tunnel at the half-time whistle:

Ashley Young entered the fray for the second half for the hapless Valencia, forcing the England international into an unfamiliar right-back berth. 

It took United just six minutes to take the lead, with Young influential on the right and providing the ammunition needed. A sweet flick from Mata after a break from Young fell at the feet of Smalling in the box, and the defender slid the ball home to claim his side's second.

OptaJoe once again pointed the finger at the brilliance of Mata:

Football pundit Ian Paul Joy also hailed the assist from the influential Spaniard:

The Old Trafford crowd began to find its voice as United tried to play with swagger, but the threat of Wolfsburg remained on the break as the hosts pushed for a third goal. Memphis Depay made way on the hour mark for Andreas Pereira, giving the youngster plenty of time to get into the game, with Wolfsburg bringing on Schurrle and Nicklas Bendtner as Draxler's influence waned.

The Germans stepped up a gear in the final 20 minutes, prompting United coach Louis van Gaal to substitute Schweinsteiger for the physical presence of Phil Jones, with Daley Blind stepping into the midfield pocket. 

Jon Super/Associated Press

United were pinned back into their penalty area as the Bundesliga outfit poured forward, with the Old Trafford defence stretched to the limit in the closing period. The hosts' midfield evaporated as Wolfsburg dictated the flow of the game, and an equaliser was on the cards.

There was a nervousness encapsulating the stadium in the final minutes as United struggled to survive, constantly clearing their lines and cheaply giving possession away.

However, the Red Devils forced themselves over the finish line with a gutsy display and add three valuable points to their Champions League endeavours. 

Jon Super/Associated Press

It was a tremendous European tie, with the game swinging back and forth through the 90 minutes. The Germans looked exceptional in the opening stages, but United turned on the class to flip the scoreline in their favour.

The entrance of Schurrle gave Wolfsburg a different point of attack in the second half as the Germans dictated the flow of traffic in the closing moments, forcing the hosts to batten down the hatches. But United had done enough to earn the win, with Mata the key player on the night. 

Post-Match Reaction

United manager Louis van Gaal was pleased with his side's win in the Champions League against Wolfsburg on Wednesday but refused to shower praise on the outstanding performance of Juan Mata, as reported by the Independent's Ian Herbert:

However, Mata was himself delighted with the performance and congratulated his team-mates for a solid victory:

United now have a difficult trip to Russia to face CSKA Moscow on Wednesday, Oct. 21, with Wolfsburg hosting PSV Eindhoven on the same day in Group B.