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Manchester United prevailed over Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League at Old Trafford on the 7th of November. The hosts raced off the blocks and immediately stamped their authority on the game.
In the 22nd minute, their dominance was rewarded when Mason Greenwood cut inside his man before slotting the ball into the bottom corner. 11 minutes later, Anthony Martial doubled the Red Devils’ advantage when he jinked past a host of defenders and poked the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper.
Though United had plenty of chances to add to their tally in the remainder of the first half, they failed to do so, meaning that they went into the break with a two-goal lead.
After the restart, Marcus Rashford popped up with the 3rd goal when he smashed home Ashley Young’s pass inside the box.
Here is a look at the three reasons that enabled the Red Devils to post a victory.
#3 Manchester United’s scintillating first half display
Manchester United came into the game on the back of another Premier League defeat against Bournemouth at the weekend, meaning that the onus was on the Red Devils to notch up a positive result to restore a bit of confidence among the squad. And, they started off quite well on that front, courtesy a stupendous first half display.
The hosts were dangerous offensively and were dominant for large parts of the period. They sprayed the ball all across the pitch with confidence and were willing to run in behind a rather static Belgrade back-line. Moreover, they pressed the ball high in the visitors’ half, thereby not allowing the away side a moment’s peace on the ball.
And, even though the Red Devils were guilty of spurning a couple of gilt-edged opportunities in the first quarter of the match, they still went into the tunnel with a two-goal cushion in their kitty.
The first goal came about after Greenwood finished off Rashford’s pass inside the box before Martial waltzed past the Belgrade defenders to double the hosts’ tally.
Apart from the goals, there seemed a sense of urgency and purpose in United’s play; a facet that has rather gone missing in recent weeks. While victory over Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League might not necessarily send ripples across the footballing fraternity, the Red Devils’ first half display was certainly as effervescent as any they’ve churned out this term.
And, maybe, that could be a good place to embark on their road to redemption.
Also check out:EPL live scores EPL table EPL fixtures
#2 Partizan Belgrade fail to make the most of their openings
A couple of weeks ago, Partizan Belgrade were unlucky to return empty-handed against Manchester United. On that night in the Serbian capital, the former kept knocking on the door incessantly and were unfortunate not to break it down. The Red Devils, meanwhile, rode on Martial’s penalty to secure three points.
Thus, plenty expected the Serbian outfit to showcase similar attacking verve at Old Trafford, especially considering the strife they’d put United under a fortnight back.
And, though the visitors displayed confidence in midfield at times, they lacked conviction in the attacking areas, meaning that they spurned several promising openings.
On numerous instances, the away side broke through United’s pressing lines. Unfortunately, though, they chose the wrong option always, thereby allowing the hosts the requisite time to recover and get back into shape.
Consequently, they weren’t able to create anything of note as most of their offensive moves were nipped in a bud.
Additionally, whenever they got into good crossing positions, they invariably failed to clear the first man, thereby disabling Umar Sadiq from attacking those deliveries and putting the likes of Harry Maguire and Marcos Rojo under pressure.
Coming to Old Trafford is never an easy task and only the most sanguine of optimists would’ve envisioned the visitors getting anything from the encounter. Having said that though, the Serbian outfit didn’t really cover itself in glory when it had the opportunity to do so.
And, when one doesn’t take one’s chances, one usually doesn’t go unpunished, especially against sides with continental pedigree.
#1 Manchester United’s attacking trio dazzle in the Mancunian rain
For Partizan Belgrade’s visit, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer preferred the youthful trio of Greenwood, Martial and Rashford as the Norwegian sought to ruffle the Serbian side’s feathers with pace. And, the triumvirate repaid their manager’s faith as each put in an accomplished display.
Rashford was sharp throughout the encounter and could’ve easily bagged himself a hat-trick, had he not fluffed his lines in the first half. More encouragingly though, he seemed high on confidence and was willing to take on defenders and carve openings for his teammates.
Martial, meanwhile, functioned well as the focal point and his off-the-ball running caused the visitors plenty of problems. The Frenchman capped off his display with a sensational goal when he tiptoed past several challenges before nudging the ball past the keeper.
As for Greenwood, the youngster was bright and always looked a threat in the final third. He displayed decisiveness in the penalty box when he coolly cut inside his marker and beat Vladimir Stojkovic at his near post.
So far this season, Manchester United have not had a lot to shout about. Though there has been the odd positive performance, they’ve largely failed to inspire.
Thus, the zeal shown by their front three against Belgrade could act as a shot in the arm, especially at a time when they’re crying out for inspiration.
