Key points: United show positives in big win over Başakşehir

Manchester United have produced another big performance in Europe at Old Trafford, winning 4-1 against Turkish champions Istanbul Başakşehir. Bruno Fernandes was the star man yet again, bagging a brace, with Rashford and Dan James of all people adding to the score-line. Here are 3 of the main points from the game on Tuesday.

1) Bruno Fernandes is world class

Bruno Fernandes has 34 goal involvements in his first 35 games for Manchester United, with 21 of those being goals. He is also the 4th quickest United player this century to reach 20 goals, behind van Nistelrooy (25 games), van Persie (26 games) and Ibrahimovic (33 games). All these players were leading, world-class strikers that spearheaded United's attack yet, Bruno Fernandes is a midfielder.

He played a pivotal role in the win, scoring a superb half volley on the edge of the box as well as a poacher's goal, pouncing on the goalkeeper's mistake. The volley was out of this world, hitting it first time into the roof of the net to open the scoring, going on to win this week's Champions League goal of the week. He had a chance just after the half hour mark to complete his hat-trick as Rashford won a penalty, but Fernandes gave him the penalty to take, explaining after the game that after missing a penalty (that was retaken and scored after the keeper encroached) at the weekend, he told Rashford that he could take the next penalty.

This performance showcased his class, putting the team before himself as well as playing in a class of his own on the pitch, being the deciding factor for yet another match. Where would Manchester United be without him?

2) Donny van de Beek should start more

Donny van de Beek started his 5th game for the Red Devils, putting in an influential performance in the centre of the park. He started alongside Fred in a no.6 role despite his preferred position being similar to that of Bruno Fernandes. Van de Beek completed 100% of his dribbles, had an 88% pass accuracy and created 2 chances from his deeper role.

He looked very confident in that midfield, providing United with an extra outlet in attack as his direct passing and movement brought the ball forward quickly, quicker than any of the other United players who have played in that position this season. The comfort the Dutchman showed on the ball gave the front 3 and the fans a sense of ease as the ball would reach the final third more often than not. The only negative would be his defensive discipline, as United seemed very open whenever Başakşehir threw numbers forward due to the lack of a defensive double pivot in that midfield. But the flow of attacking football on show was mesmerising to watch, it makes you wonder if its worth the risk of being exposed like that at the back to gain the attacking freedom that is needed sometimes. This freedom won the game for United in the opening 35 minutes.

Van de Beek seems to be a rotation player for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer right now, but with more performances like this, he'll make it harder and harder to keep him out of the starting XI.

3) The defence still looks shaky

The win looked convincing and easy from the scoreline, but despite the 3 goal margin, Başakşehir had 14 shots in comparison to United's 18 and the defence of Wan-Bissaka (subbed for Williams), Lindelof (subbed for Tuanzebe), Maguire and Telles looked exposed. This is mostly in part due to the way United came out in the second half, with the intensity and attacking intent seeming to have decreased significantly.

Telles put in a productive display on that left hand side in an attacking sense, completing 4/11 crosses and creating 4 chances, which means he has created the most chances in the UCL so far this season out of all the Man United players (7). Apart from this positive showing, the defence constantly looked under threat by an attack led by a 35 year old Demba Ba, who is far past his best. Maguire and Tuanzebe didn't look comfortable at the back as Başakşehir looked dangerous in the second half, often threatening on the edge of the United penalty area. Even more so when Fernandes and Rashford were substituted and the attack lacked the flow and sharpness of movement that was displayed in the first half, and transitioning from defence to attack was much more difficult. It resulted in a free-kick being given away, which was converted.

Maguire needs a more commanding centre back partner, and Tuanzebe could be that player if he gets more consistent playing time and shakes off his injury problems. Although he did get a yellow card in this game, which means he's suspended for the game against PSG due to his accumulation of bookings.

The back-line of this United team has been a big problem post-Ferguson and should be a priority in the upcoming transfer windows.