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By the time Manchester United welcomed Partizan Belgrade to Old Trafford on Thursday night, AZ Alkmaar had already laid down a marker for the evening. The Dutch side had demolished Astana 5-0 at the Astana Arena and had reached the top of Group L.
The onus was on United to reclaim the top position and secure the win that would guarantee them qualification into the knockout stages of the Europa League.
Despite being unbeaten in the Europa League, the Red Devils were arriving into the game on the back of a disappointing 0-1 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth. Solskjaer knew that the game was a chance to prove that the weekend’s defeat was a minor glitch and he named his team accordingly.
Manchester United Starting XI: Sergio Romero; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Marcos Rojo, Ashley Young; Fred, Scott McTominay, Juan Mata; Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood.
United dominated the play right from the start of the game and went ahead when Mason Greenwood scored in the 21st minute. The home team then doubled the lead through Anthony Martial in the 33rd minute and went into the break with a 2-0 lead. Four minutes into the start of the second half, Marcus Rashford scored United’s third of the night and from there on, it was a walk in the park for the home side, who won the game 3-0.
While the whole team impressed with their performance on the night, Solskjaer will be extra pleased with these five men, who were brilliant for United.
#5 Ashley Young
The Englishman had a day to forget against Bournemouth, as United succumbed to a 1-0 defeat. As the United Skipper, Ashley Young clearly wanted to make amends against Partizan Belgrade and gave a stellar account of himself at Old Trafford. He was committed to United’s attacking play, running forward at every opportunity and linked up well with Marcus Rashford in the final third.
Despite his adventure, the Englishman carried out his defensive responsibilities admirably. He rarely allowed the Partizan Belgrade attackers to get past him and ensured that United secured another clean sheet on the night.
Young’s eagerness on the left side of the field finally bore fruit when he picked up an assist in the second half, setting up Rashford to score. The Englishman’s secured display at left-back also helped the home team become the only side not to concede a goal in the Europa League this term so far.
#4 Juan Mata
The Spaniard is the only out and out No. 10 in this Manchester United team and he got a rare start in his ffavouredposition in the team against Partizan. And Juan Mata showed Solskjaer just what United was missing in that position. The Spaniard was brilliant with his one-touch plays in the final third and part of the reason why United was so flamboyant on the night was that they had the expertise and experience of the former Chelsea man on the field.
Mata made intelligent runs into good positions and complimented all three of his forward players with his build-up play. His movement was a cause of concern for Partizan all night long, who struggled to hold on to the diminutive Spaniard.
Mata dropped down, moved to the sides and sprayed wonderful balls throughout the game. He brought the full-backs into the game, switching play and eased the pressure off the United midfield by pressing high up on the pitch. His pinpoint ball to Ashley Young helped create United’s third goal of the night.
#3 Mason Greenwood
The Englishman started on the right side of the attack and impressed once again. Mason Greenwood combined excellently with Aaron Wan-Bissaka to torment Urosevic, the Partizan left-back. The Englishman ran the channels well and was stellar with his positioning. His link-up play with Mata and Anthony Martial gave the game most of its great moments.
Greenwood got United off to a flyer after a sustained spell of possession in the opening stages. He got to the end of Marcus Rashford’s pass, cut inside to open up some space for himself and then sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give United a deserved lead. The youngster continued to be a threat even after the goal and was also involved in the build-up play that led to Martial’s goal.
After the break, the Englishman continued to be busy as a bee on the right-hand side of the field and even won a couple of free-kicks in dangerous areas. He worked hard as a part of the team and ensured that United continued to keep the away side under pressure right until the end of the game.
#2 Marcus Rashford
The Englishman put his foot down right from the start of the game and drove at the opposition as a man possessed. His understanding with Martial was a treat to the eyes, as the two of them tore the defence apart with their silky build-up play. Rashford was a continuous threat throughout the first half but failed to score, despite coming close a couple of times. However, the Englishman continued to strive for excellence and put in a shift on the pitch.
Rashford dropped deep to pick up the ball and was heavily involved in the build-up play. After the break, he picked up pace and looked desperate to add a goal.
His moment arrived in the 49th minute after Juan Mata’s beautifully timed long ball to Ashley Young was cushioned into Rashford’s path by the United skipper. The Englishman hit a sweet first-time volley that gave Stojkovic no chance. It was a goal that took the game away from Partizan and gave United full control of the proceedings.
#1 Anthony Martial
After a disappointing outing in the weekend, Anthony Martial had a point to prove in midweek. Many expected Solskjaer to rest the Frenchman for the weekend’s tie, but the Norwegian was perhaps aware that his star man needed a shot at redemption.
The Frenchman made his intentions clear right from the start of the game, driving at the opposition defence and showing good work ethics on the final third. He found the back of the net as early as the third minute but the effort was correctly ruled offside. Martial's movement and speed caused Partizan all kinds of problems and the Frenchman was at the centre of quite a few brilliant moves from United throughout the game.
However, Martial took the game by the scruff of the neck in the 33rd minute, picking up a deflected pass to glide past two Partizan defenders effortlessly. He then unleashed a low shot under the onrushing Stojkovic and doubled United’s lead.
The Frenchman combined superbly with Marcus Rashford throughout the game and did not give the opposition a moment’s respite.
