Manchester United survived a first-half scare to end up securing a 3-2 win against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday.
After a humiliating defeat at the hands of Manchester City, Erik ten Hag wanted his team to make a statement at the GSP Stadium in Cyprus.
However, the start was anything but, as the hosts took the lead against the course of the game through a good counterattack that was finished off by Karim Ansarifard.
Malacia, fight Sancho
It was the loose play of Tyrell Malacia that led to Omonia’s goal. The left back had little possession and rightly hooked at the break.
This was the second time in a week that Ten Hag decided to remove the Dutch winger and Malacia will want to forget this week as quickly as possible.
Sancho’s lack of aggressiveness in 1v1 and Malacia’s inability to produce anything promising from good positions has hurt Man United’s left flank with Eriksen and Bruno moving to the left to make anything happen.
— . (@TheMidfieldRole) October 6, 2022
Jadon Sancho did not help him in the least. The winger has been in clinic when an opportunity has presented himself inside the box, but his lateral play remains lukewarm at best.
Once again, he was not aggressive and chose to choose the safer option again and again instead of facing his man. The goal came after Sancho returned the ball to Malacia, who was unable to protect him from the imposing Omonia players.
He was seen jogging back instead of running to the finish line. Ten Hag certainly had a few words for him at the break.
The second half was a completely different matter with Luke Shaw replacing Malacia and Marcus Rashford replacing Sancho.
Rashford, having a poor day in the derby, made an immediate impact when he scored the equalizer and assisted fellow substitute Anthony Martial for United’s second.
rashford saves the day
The Mancunian was not finished, as he coolly scored United’s third to guarantee victory. It was great to see him take on his man and beat him on the pace down the line multiple times.
He still has a long way to go before he becomes a centre-forward, but his direct winger game carries far more of a threat than Sancho.
Shaw was also great as he bombed forward at will and constantly overlapped on the left in an effort to hit one of the attackers.
The exhibition will not have pleased the Dutch coach despite the three points. Conceding two goals against Omonia was not the best way to silence critics after a thrashing in the Derby.
The mental fragility displayed by the team in the first half was not the best view and receiving such an easy counterattack will give Ten Hag pause before Everton.
For now, he’ll be pleased with Rashford and Shaw’s contribution in the second half and Martial’s scoring streak.
United Matchday Magazine: the best match experience Familiar Faces in Cyprus. Ten Hag will look for a reaction. Get your Matchday Mag NOW!
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