'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester United hosted Astana at Old Trafford for the first game in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a whole lot of changes to the side that faced Leicester City last weekend in the Premier League.
A total of 9 changes were made, starting from the back with Sergio Romero in goal. Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and Diogo Dalot completed the back four. In midfield, Nemanja Matic and Fred started together for the first time, while Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong, Mason Greenwood, and Marcus Rashford completed the attack.
Coming to the match, the home side were utterly dominant in the first half as they were controlling possession and creating chances. Most of those chances fell to Rashford, who didn't take any of them as the first period ended without a goal from either team.
In the second half, the match followed a similar pattern of play, with United having more of the ball. Around the 73rd minute, United opened the scoring and it was their 17-year-old starlet Greenwood who found the back of the net.
In this piece, we are going to take a look at the five things we learned from the match:
#5 Marcos Rojo can be a great option for United at left-back
For someone who hasn't featured in the starting XI for a long while, Marcos Rojo had a great game for United. He started at the left-back position and in the first half, he created a number of opportunities with his crosses. If only Rashford had taken any of them, the Argentine would have had an assist to his name.
Rojo's passing was slick, and as usual, he had some pops at goal from distance. The South American was a constant attacking presence on the left-hand side of the field as he bombed forward at every opportunity.
He also won some key aerial battles, whilst supporting Phil Jones ably. He was substituted later in the game for Ashley Young and Old Trafford gave a rousing reception to the Argentine. With Luke Shaw currently injured, and Young not really performing at the highest leve, Rojo could be considered as an option at left-back against West Ham this Sunday.
Also check out:Premier League Premier League Table Champions League Schedule
#4 United found Astana hard to break down
United came into the game knowing that the opposition will sit back and defend deep. With a block of five midfielders in the middle of the park, Astana defended deep and gave the home side absolutely no space in the middle of the park.
This meant that United had to look for width from their full-backs. While Rojo played his part almost perfectly, the same cannot be said for Diogo Dalot. The Portuguese almost operated as a winger for most parts of the game, but his delivery on the day wasn't good enough.
Instead of driving his crosses low and in dangerous areas, Dalot constantly chipped his crosses, which were being easily dealt with by the lanky Astana defenders. The Red Devils have struggled to break down teams that have sat back and defended for most parts of the game and that was evident again.
United need to find a different gameplan against teams that come to Old Trafford and put all the ten players behind the ball. This was another match where United dearly missed Paul Pogba as the Frenchman really creates from the middle of the park. If the Red Devils don't find a solution, they will struggle against teams that play with the low block.
#3 Axel Tuanzebe staked his claim at center-back
Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe started together for United at centre-back as Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof were rested. It is fair to say that the two English defenders were pretty good at the back as they helped United keep a clean sheet.
Tuanzebe got his opportunity to start after a long time and he was pretty calm and composed at the back. He started a shade nervously but grew into the game as time went on. The Englishman's positioning was the highlight of his play as he stopped potential Astana counter-attacks by cutting off passing angles.
His centre-back partner Jones, on the other hand, didn't put a foot wrong in the entire game. His calmness on the ball was there for all to see, while his clever interceptions also stood out. Jones has fallen down the pecking order since United signed Maguire and the Englishman needs to start performing like this on a regular basis if he is to start all the more important games.
Tuanzebe though has got a real chance to displace Lindelof as United's first team centre-back as the latter hasn't been in great form lately.
#2 Fred ran the show from midfield, while Matic disappointed again
For the first time this season, Fred started a game for United and he put in a brilliant shift. He was dictating things for the home side in the middle of the park and he showed just what he can do for the Red Devils.
The Brazilian kept the ball ticking in midfield and he hit the crossbar very early on with a brilliant long-range strike. The 26-year-old also made some important interceptions and tackles in the defensive third, whilst recovering the ball on numerous occasions.
He got an assist to show for his hard work as he played a part Mason Greenwood's winner. United are short on options in the middle of the park and this performance from Fred would have certainly put a smile on Solskjaer's face.
Unfortunately though, the same cannot be said for Matic. The Serbian was very slow to release the ball on numerous occasions, while his passing very conservative; he kept on passing the ball sideways.
On the defensive side, he was overrun by the Astana midfielders on a couple of occasions but thankfully, Fred was there to cover for him. It is fair to say that Matic needs to improve or else he will fall further down the pecking order.
#1 The youngsters show what they can do
Solskjaer was given a glimpse of what the youngsters could do in this United squad. For the first time, Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong, and Mason Greenwood started together for United and what a day it was for those young lads.
While Chong didn't really have a great game, Gomes and Greenwood showed that they are really for this level. Greenwood scored a brilliant goal for the Red Devils as he had a lot to do after he received the ball on the right-wing. He faked a shot with his left-foot, chopped the ball onto his right-foot, beat his marker and stroked it through the goalkeeper's legs.
Greenwood also had a great opportunity in the first half as he skimmed the crossbar with a great strike. His teammate, Gomes showed his ability in the number 10 position. The 19-year-old was pretty slick on the ball and he played some delightful passes on the day.
He looked a bit tired as the game went on and was seemingly substituted for Jesse Lingard. All in all, it was an impressive showing from the youngsters in a rather not so impressive performance.
