Manchester United left it mightily fine but Marouane Fellaini ensured their fans would not have to witness another successive stalemate at Old Trafford.
The Belgium international used his size and strength to control a flick on, swivel and finish into the bottom corner in the last moments of the match as United claimed all three points to book their spot in the next round of the Champions League.
The result is the main thing, but there were some poor performances yet again from some of United’s key players this evening. Here, Sportsmail’s MIKE KEEGAN gives his assessments of both sets of players from Old Trafford.
Marouane Fellaini struck a sweet shot into the corner to seal a late win for Manchester United
MAN UTD (4-3-3) TEAM AVERAGE: 5.9
DAVID DE GEA 6
Scrambled across his goalline to tip deflection on to the post and prevent the unthinkable.
ANTONIO VALENCIA 6
Captain on first start since injury at the beginning of last month. Has been missed.
CHRIS SMALLING 6
The only centre half Mourinho has been able to rely on. Was calm and commanding.
Chris Smalling put in a shift and was solid at the back for Jose Mourinho’s men on Tuesday
PHIL JONES 5.5
First start since missing penalty which saw United knocked out of EFL Cup by Derby. Nervy at times.
LUKE SHAW 6
Admitted you need a ‘thick skin’ to play under Mourinho and may have needed it at half-time.
FRED 6
Underwhelming since summer move but certainly not the worst of the bunch here.
NEMANJA MATIC 5.5
Has struggled for form this season. Not a standout night for the ex-Chelsea man.
Nemanja Matic was a passenger for much of it and failed to have any impact on the match
MAROUANE FELLAINI 7
Anonymous first-half but all will be forgotten as he once again came to the rescue late on.
JESSE LINGARD 5.5
Yet to score on his rare United outings this year. Wasteful early on and eventually hooked.
MARCUS RASHFORD 5.5
Shake of the head from Jose when he chipped glorious early chance over. Lacking confidence.
ANTHONY MARTIAL 5.5
One of few shining lights in a miserable start to United’s season but looked laboured here.
Marcus Rashford was wasteful in front of goal and looks bereft of all confidence at the minute
SUBSTITUTES
Lukaku 6 (for Lingard 64min)
Pogba 6 (for Fred 64)
Mata 6 (for Valencia (73)
Not used: Romero, Bailly, Pereira, McTominay.
MANAGER
JOSE MOURINHO 5
Pre-match quotes set his side off on the wrong foot but his big Belgian saved the day.
Mourinho’s pre-match quotes were never going to help and United got away with one tonight
YOUNG BOYS (4-1-4-1):
Von Ballmoos 6.5; Mbabu 7, Camara 6.5, Von Bergen 6 (Garcia 46, 6.5), Benito 6 , Lauper 6;, Sulejmani 6.5 (Fassnacht 66, 6.5), Sow 6.5, Aebischer 6, Assale 7; Nsame 6.5 (Moumi Ngamaleu 83).
Subs not used: Wolfli, Bertne, Schick, Seydoux
Manager: Gerardo Seoane 6.5