Manchester United came back from a goal down to win 5-1 against Midtjylland FC and enter the Europa League round-of-16 in an enthralling European night of football at Old Trafford. After Pione Sisto opened the scoring for the visitors in the 27th minute, United equalised within five minutes through Nikolay Bodurov’s own goal. Juan Mata then failed to score from a penalty in the latter stages of the first half.
However, United came back strong and after squandering a couple of chances, came into their own. Debutant Marcus Rashford scored the second and third goal for the Red Devils, with Ander Herrera and Memphis scoring the other two.
With Memphis and Rashford being the two standout performers of the night, let us have a look at how each player performed in the match.
Manchester United
Sergio Romero – (6.5/10)
The Argentine had a pretty quiet night in front of goal. Apart from conceding the goal, he was forced into making a couple of regulation saves, but that was it.
Guillermo Varela – (7.5/10)
The Uruguayan fullback paired up well with Lingard on the right flank. He also played a huge part in both the goals scored by Rashford, the second one being an assist.
Michael Carrick – (6.5/10)
The Englishman, who was deployed in the back four by LVG, was his usual calm self. However, he could have done a little better to prevent Sisto from scoring the opening goal.
Daley Blind – (7.5/10)
The Dutch defender showed good composure on the ball and was strong with his tackles too. He played quite a few brilliant passes which opened the Midtjylland midfield and allowed United attackers to thrive.
Joe Riley – (7/10)
Riley, who made his first start for the club, was good with his attacking play and partnered up well with Memphis. Although, he, along with Carrick, could have prevented the visitors from scoring the first goal of the match. He was taken off for Marcos Rojo in the 79th minute of the match.
Morgan Schneiderlin – (7.5/10)
The midfielder was particularly good with his tackling in the match. His passing range was decent as well and his constant runs forward opened up spaces for the forwards.
Ander Herrera – (7/10)
Herrera’s link-up play in the midfield was commendable and his partnership with Mata was for everyone to see. He scored United’s fourth goal from the penalty spot after missing an easy chance to score a goal in the early stages of the second half.
Jesse Lingard – (6.5/10)
Lingard started the match brightly and also tracked back to help Varela on a number of occasions, however, he faded away as the match progressed. He was cautioned by the referee for simulation in the second half and will miss the next match for United in the Europa League.
Juan Mata – (7/10)
Mata was a vital cog in the build up plays of United, however, he missed a glorious chance late in the first half to give United the lead as his tame penalty was saved by Mikkel Andersen. The Spaniard did well when he squared Rashford up to score the second goal for the hosts.
Memphis Depay – (9.5/10)
Memphis was probably the best player on the pitch. His great run through the left flank resulted in the Bodurov own-goal, his crosses were up to the mark as well. The winger showered a barrage of shots towards Midtjylland goal and he was rewarded for his hard work late in the match when he fired home the fifth United goal, a low shot drilled into the bottom corner.
Marcus Rashford – (9/10)
Rashford had a dream debut to his United career. After the starting the match well and helping his teammates with his brilliant hold up play, the youngster burst into life in the second half when he scored two goals for United in a space of 12 minutes.
Substitutes:
Marcos Rojo – (6.5/10)
Rojo was brought on for Riley in the 79th minute. He did well during his brief spell on the pitch upon return from injury.
Andreas Perreira – (N/A)
Perreira was brought on for Lingard in 86th minute.
Regan Poole – (N/A)
Poole was brought on for Ander Herrera in the 91st minute.
Midtjylland FC
Mikkel Andersen – (6.5/10)
The goalkeeper did well to save Mata’s penalty in the first half but was not able to prevent United from going on a rampage and score five goals past him.
Andre Romer – (3/10)
The poor Midtjylland right-back had a horrible time on the pitch. Memphis continuously tormented him with his dribbling skills. He was guilty of gifting United the first penalty, from which Mata failed to score from. He was also sent off after picking a second yellow card late in the match.
Kian Hansen – (4.5/10)
Hansen had quite a few nervy moments in the match. He also gave away United a penalty in the second half, which was converted by Herrera.
Nikolay Bodurov – (4.5/10)
Bodurov was guilty of scoring an own-goal, through which United cancelled out the first goal scored by Sisto. He was also not able to keep the debutant Rashford in check.
Filip Novak – (5.5/10)
Novak was completely outplayed by the duo of Lingard and Varela in the first half, however, he did well to keep Lingard silent in the second half.
Tim Sparv – (4.5/10)
Sparv completely failed to dominate the midfield and was also not able to fulfill his duty of guarding the back four.
Rilwan Hassan – (6/10)
The right winger had a par outing, he started the second half on the front foot and tried to get the visitors back into the game. He was taken off for Kadlec in the 67th minute.
Kristoffer Olsson – (5/10)
Olsson was not allowed to show his attacking side in the match as he was forced to defend for the majority of the match. He was taken off for Pusic in the 79th minute.
Jakob Poulsen – (6.5/10)
The skipper tried his best to drag his team through. He gave some good deliveries in the box from set-piece situations.
Pione Sisto – (7/10)
Sisto opened the United defense when he went on an amazing run to score the first goal of the match. However, he was not able to replicate that magic and save his team from a humiliating defeat.
Marco Urena – (5/10)
Urena gave the assist for Sisto’s goal but other than he was ineffective, He was substituted for Paul Onuachu at half-time.
Substitutes:
Paul Onuachu – (5/10)
The striker failed to make any sort of impact on the match after coming on for Urena after half-time.
Vaclav Kadlec – (4.5/10)
Kadlec came on for Hassan in the 67th minute but was not able to see much of the ball.
Martin Pusic – (N/A)
Pusic came on for Olsson in the 79th minute.
