Manchester United 2-1 LASK: 5 Talking Points as Red Devils secure qualification with comeback victory | UEFA Europa League 2019-20

#3 Solskjaer looking towards the future

It may not have been in the circumstances he dreamed of as a kid, but @TedenMengi_ has represented our first team at Old Trafford.Nothing can change that ❤️👏#MUFC #UEL pic.twitter.com/5aEewGYZIS

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 5, 2020

Solskjaer’s willingness to play youngsters this season has paid off, with the likes of Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams enjoying breakout seasons for the club. Having already handed first-team debuts to a whole host of players against Astana in the group stage of the Europa League earlier in the season, United’s manager brought on another youngster for his first appearance this season.

18-year-old defender Teden Mengi, who has caught the eye with his displays for United’s youth teams this season, came on to replace Timothy Fosu-Mensah for his first appearance with the senior team.

While there has been a lot of talk about United making moves in the transfer market ahead of the start of the 2020-21 season, it appears that Solskjaer is not averse to bringing youngsters from the youth squads through to the senior side.

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#4 A lack of squad depth at United?

Andreas Pereira has been among those whose performances for United have been called into question

Despite enjoying remarkable success in the second half of the season, it has been noted by several observers that the drop-off in quality between United’s established first-teamers and second-string players is quite stark.

Midfield creativity takes quite a hit when the likes of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes are replaced by Fred and Scott McTominay, even though the Brazilian and the Scotsman have played significant roles in getting United to where they are this season.

Similarly, Daniel James has failed to capitalise on an encouraging start to the season and is viewed as a significant downgrade in terms of attacking output when compared to Mason Greenwood.

In defence, a comparable replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka is yet to be found, with questions being raised over the quality of both Diego Dalot and Timothy Fosu-Mensah.

On the other side, Luke Shaw and Brandon Williams have enjoyed successful seasons, but an injury to Shaw and the need to preserve Williams for the next round of the Europa League meant that Tahith Chong, normally a left-winger, had to fill in at left-back for a period of time.

Solskjaer will be looking to address these issues ahead of the next season if United are to build on an encouraging third-place finish this time round.

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#5. Lingard slowly making a return to form

Lingard marked his return to the starting lineup with a well-taken goal

Jesse Lingard has endured a frustrating season at Old Trafford and has openly addressed the personal difficulties he faced in recent months. Just nine starts in the Premier League, along with a handful of substitute appearances, is the fewest he has made since breaking into the side a few years ago.

Two in two.❤️ @JesseLingard#MUFC #UEL pic.twitter.com/RlH8hPc9zJ

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 5, 2020

However, the 27-year-old seems to be coming into a bit of form as the season draws to a close. Having scored his first (and only) Premier League goal of the season with the last kick of the game on the final day against Leicester City, Lingard made in two in two games with the equaliser against LASK.

The English midfielder looked confident on the ball during his time on the pitch as well, getting involved in attacking moves and embarking on a few promising runs. His goal marked the first time he has scored back-to-back for United since December 2018, something he will definitely be looking to build on as the Europa League campaign develops.

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