Manchester United kicked off their
The Red Devils sealed 3points after with a 1-0 win following a brilliant goal from Mason Greenwood in the second half.
Here are five(5) things #ManUtdNaijaFM learnt from the clash.
1. A PEEK INTO THE FUTURE
Ole 'Ugonna' Solskjaer started the game by handing European debuts to United academy graduates in the frame of Axel Tuanzebe, Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong, and Mason Greenwood along with Marcus Rashford.
Ole 'Ugonna' Solskjaer started the game by handing European debuts to United academy graduates in the frame of Axel Tuanzebe, Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong, and Mason Greenwood along with Marcus Rashford.
The starlets gave a good account of themselves, with Axel Tuanzebe putting in a confident display at centre back, Gomes showing United fans a glimpse of his quick thinking and creativity and Chong giving the Astana right back a torrid time.
Mason Greenwood added stew to the rice with a super goal, turning an Astana defender inside out like 'semo', before slotting his shot in the goalkeeper's 'kolo' to seal United's win.
2. DOMINANT MATIC
The captain for the night had a good game all round. Tidy in possession, reading the game excellently to stop all attacks from Astana before they started.
The captain for the night had a good game all round. Tidy in possession, reading the game excellently to stop all attacks from Astana before they started.
Yes, it may have been very low quality opposition and at Old Trafford, but performances like these are needed to build confidence for the tougher games ahead.
3. RASHFORD CANNOT BE TRUSTED.......YET
Another day, another similar story for Marcus 'Rashidi Yekini' who started in his favoured number 9 role yet again. The pacy frontman gave in another hardworking display with his pressing and runs in the final third, but was guilty of missing a host of clear cut chances squeezed out from United's creative players.
Another day, another similar story for Marcus 'Rashidi Yekini' who started in his favoured number 9 role yet again. The pacy frontman gave in another hardworking display with his pressing and runs in the final third, but was guilty of missing a host of clear cut chances squeezed out from United's creative players.
A lot of work needs to be done, else, a long 'wahala' season awaits.
4. FRED IS READY
Most chances created, most ball recoveries, and most passes against Astana. The Brazilian midfielder put himself in contention for a Premier league start with that performance.
Most chances created, most ball recoveries, and most passes against Astana. The Brazilian midfielder put himself in contention for a Premier league start with that performance.
Long have United faithful cried for Pogba to be broken free from the shackles of that double pivot role with McTominay. A midfield trio of Fred, McTominay and Pogba may be the solution to United's midfield woes at the moment and should be strongly considered
5. THE PROBLEM UNSOLVED
Anther day, another display without a plan to break down an opposition with many bodies behind the ball.
Anther day, another display without a plan to break down an opposition with many bodies behind the ball.
It seems the manager only trains his players for one plan only, counter whenever the opposition moves forward and in games where the opposition sits deep, United's game play is all flat and luck dependent.
IN THE END, it was an unconvincing win against low quality opposition, but in Naija we say "at all at all naim bad pass"....an unconvincing win is better than a convincing loss.
OPINION POLL
What were your thoughts about the game?
What were your thoughts about the game?
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GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED.
GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED.