In Retrospect (Manchester United vs FC Astana)

Manchester United began their Europa league campaign with a win last night. An hard earn win to be precised, thanks to the heroics of the FC Astana’s keeper, Nenad Eric and sloppy finishing from the English club’s strike force. An hour before the match, when the team sheet was released, most of the Manchester United fans were left drooling as Ole had finally put in four academy players into the attacking four with a mix of experience and youth behind to defend. Six players who were in the squad last night, were born after Eric Cantona had retired from Professional Football. The match remained an one sided domination until Manchester United managed their only goal of the match. Even though the result and the display was not up to the expectation of the fans, there’s a lot to take away from the game.

Mason Greenwood, the seventeen year old prodigy who has taken the club and English media by storm with his goal scoring spree last season was the player to watch. He started off the right wing, supported by Diogo Dalot who was playing his first match of the season coming back from his injury. Mason had four shots and scored in one of them. Yesterday, for the first time this season, we saw a balanced attack from the right wing. Unfortunately, we are still missing player who can charge into the six yards box and encourage the crosses to be put in there. It’s still a mystery why he doesn’t play more often as we definitely are poor on that Right Wing position and he clearly is our make shift answer to it. After-all, if you are good enough, you are old enough, isn’t it?

Marcus Rashford experienced one of the frustrating nights of his career in Europe. He had two clear opportunities in one on one situation but both were well saved or we could be harsh and say directed close to the Astana keeper. Now looking at Rashford, you can easily make out that he is a brilliant wing forward but not so much, as an in box hitman who would be looking for those tap in or scrappy pushes. Even though he started as the central striker, he often drifted towards the wings or edge of the box, leaving the six yards empty.

Diogo Dalot might have dropped down the pecking order with the arrival of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, but he put up a top notch performance showcasing his attacking prowess. Always on the move, ready to take on defenders, dribbling and overlapping past the last man to make a cross in the box. Now that’s something we might have not seen since Valencia was in his prime. Rojo & his work rate was one of the positive take away as they tirelessly went up and down the pitch creating numerous chances which were unfortunately not taken advantage of.

If it was Scott McTominay against Leicester, it was Fred last evening who put up a majestic display in midfield. Perhaps he is finally coming in terms to English football and showing glimpses on why the club had invested so much money on him last summer. Fred was all over the pitch last night, he was defending, bringing ball off the defense and then making crucial passes into the final third. Even though Angel Gomes was playing the role of a playmaker, Fred was actually pulling the strings, distributing the ball all over the place to put FC Astana on back foot. But it would be unfair if we just praise Fred as Angel Gomes was brilliant as well. His passing was impeccable. His quick feet and ability on the ball left Astana defenders out of ideas as they continued conceding fouls in and around the box to contain him.

Another player that caught the eye was Axel Tuanzebe. Starting alongside Phil Jones, the 21 year old academy product, produced one of the flawless performance we have ever seen. Calm and composed on the ball, never lost possession and always looking to push the line up. Such was his presence and strength that while chasing a forward pass, one of the FC Astana forward just gave up mid way as he saw Axel charging in. FC Astana might have been quite overwhelmed, arriving into the big stage but Axel might have taken away all hopes in them, trying to make a difference, with his sheer presence at the back line. Even though he was often charging forward, he was always available for defensive duties and never let Sergio Romero off guard during the match. After last evening, Ole along with the backroom staff could well be thinking, if they are justifying keeping him on the bench as he can might as well start as CDM and provide better cover than Matic has been putting, over the last couple of games.

Now of course, it was FC Astana and we just managed to score once but let me remind you that most of the players last night were playing the first game of the season and never looked out of place. They were industrious, perhaps a lot wasteful but the game could have seen a very different scoreline if any of the first half chances were converted. This game also explained why Ole has been gradually putting forward his younger colts into the first team rather than pouring all in, even when the veterans have not been up to the mark. Next mid week, we face Rochedale at home, a team which was well beaten by the U23 squad early during the season in one of the closed door games. There’s no doubt that Ole would put in a similar squad and ensure these academy players starts realizing how to improve their game into the big stage, even though they have been nothing short of fantastic in U23 or Reserve games.