When Memphis Depay struck a fabulous opener on 41 minutes, it looked like being a happy return to the Champions League for Manchester United. Only thing, PSV Eindhoven did not thing along those lines.
In first half stoppage time, Hector Moreno made it 1-1 and then 12 minutes into the second half, there was Luciano Narsingh putting the finishing touches to a nice PSV move to completely knock the stuffing out of Manchester United.
Manchester United will feel they did enough to get a draw from Eindhoven, but in the end, in such a big competition like the Champions League, all that matters is the result, and that result certainly went Philip Cocu and PSV's way, who played smart, rode their luck a little, but eventually defended well enough to take all three points.
Memphis gave Manchester United the lead with a wonderful solo effort, going past two PSV defenders before slotting the ball through the goalkeeper's legs with his left foot.
However, PSV scored the crucial equaliser before halftime – a first half that was marred by the serious injury to Luke Shaw – with Moreno heading off a corner, as the ball rippled the net via a deflection from Daley Blind.
The comeback was complete for PSV in the 57th minute, as Narsingh headed home at the far post off a nice cross from Maxime Lestienne.
Manchester United threw the kitchen sink at PSV in the final 20 minutes, but, to be honest, the home team could have easily wrapped up the game, with a few chances coming their way on the counter-attack.
However, 2-1 it ended, leaving Van Gaal pondering on another match that slipped away pretty quickly.