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When Manchester United travelled to the Partizan Stadium in Belgrade, Serbia on Thursday, they were aiming for their first away win since March of this year. Solskjaer’s woeful away form had shown no signs of improving, as the Red Devils had failed to win any games so far on the road this season. However, United was buoyed by their impressive display against Premier League leaders Liverpool during the weekend. They almost managed to defeat the Reds, only to be thwarted by an Adam Lallana goal in the dying minutes of the game.
In the UEFA Europa League, the Red Devils were still unbeaten, managing a win over Astana and a draw against AZ Alkmaar in their two matches thus far. They went into the match second in the group behind Partizan Belgrade, trailing the Serbians on goals scored. As such, United needed a win on Thursday to secure top position. Solskjaer made several changes to the team that secured a draw against Liverpool last weekend, opting for the same 3-4-1-2 formation that had worked well against the Reds.
Manchester United Starting XI: Sergio Romero; Phil Jones, Harry Maguire, Marcos Rojo; Brandon Williams, James Garner, Scott McTominay, Aaron Wan-Bissaka; Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard.
The visitors were the better team in the first half and took the lead in the 43rd minute through an Anthony Martial goal from the penalty spot. After the break, the home side threw everything including the kitchen sink at United but the away team held on to secure all three points. It was United’s first away victory since the 3-1 win over PSG in March. Here are three men who made the difference for Solskjaer on the night.
#3 Brandon Williams
The teenager started as the left wing-back and was excellent on the pitch. Brandon Williams was tireless on the left side of the field, eager to run forward and ready to join the attack at every opportunity. It was not a wonder that everything good on the night mostly arrived from the left side.
It was in the 43rd minute that Williams made the most decisive contribution to the game. In one of his forward runs, the teenager showed a lot of courage and determination to run past his marker and into the box. He was eventually brought down and United won a penalty, which was converted by Anthony Martial.
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#2 Sergio Romero
The Argentine shot-stopper is arguably one of the best back up goalkeeper in club football at present. Sergio Romero has displayed time and again that he is an able deputise for David De Gea between the sticks for United. The Spaniard had shrugged off an injury scare to start against Liverpool but Solskjaer did not wish to risk him against Partizan. As such, Romero was back in the team sheet once again for the UEFA Europa League.
Sergio Romero had a pretty comfortable first half of the game, as the home side did not cause him too much trouble. On the few occasions that Partizan did come knocking at the door, he dealt with their threat commendably. His reading of the game was spot on and Romero anticipated danger quite well, enabling him to stay on top of things throughout the game. He was off his line very fast on a couple of occasions to thwart the home side.
After United took the lead, Sergio Romero made a string of vital saves to keep his team in the game. The home side grew in confidence in the closing stages of the game but Romero was cool customer in goal who ensured United went back with a vital away win.
#1 Anthony Martial
The Frenchman had his first start since returning from injury and looked the most lethal of United's attackers. Anthony Martial did not get the service he deserved but whenever he had the ball at his feet, he looked to create something out of it. His close control and trickery kept the opposition on their toes. The Frenchman also drew quite a few fouls, as the home side struggled to deal with his movement and diagonal runs.
Martial also dropped deep to pick up the ball from midfield and initiate attacks. He lacked support from the other attackers in the team but kept striving to carve out chances for United. After Brandon Williams won the penalty, the Frenchman stepped up to take the spot kick. Manchester United’s record from the spot has not been good this season but Martial showed no signs of being nervous, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and giving his team the lead.
He was eventually replaced by Marcus Rashford in the second half. By then, Martial had ensured that United earned their first away win of the season.
