A Rashford free kick lashed the top of the net. Within 90 seconds, Rashford had a solo run that ended in a corner, and Marcos Rojo drilled a low ball just inches away from both the far post and the onrushing boots of Greenwood and Gomes.Ī Greenwood toe poke was deflected and dribbled agonizingly wide. Luckily, the ensuing bobbled shot was straight at Sergio Romero, who collected easily.Īt halftime, United were totally in control, but didn’t yet have any goals to show for their dominance.Īfter the break, the Reds set about their business with renewed purpose. Typically, the visitors’ only real chance of the half was a result of a Phil Jones giveaway in midfield, followed by Nemanja Matić being too slow to keep up with a runner. Axel Tuanzebe was playing as an auxiliary midfielder, and Angel Gomes was seeing a lot of the ball trying to pick apart Astana’s stubborn low block. The average position of Diogo Dalot - the nominal right-back - was closer to the opposition box than it was to the half-way line.

FC Astana were being thoroughly outclassed, and to add insult to injury, the Old Trafford crowd could be heard breaking into a rendition of “Borat, give us a song.”īy the half hour mark, the game was being played totally in Astana’s half. The Reds were not so much knocking at the door as assailing it with a battering ram. In the 20th minute, Rashford again missed the target from close range before denied a minute later by Nenad Eric’s sharp save. After that, Greenwood looked certain to open his United account only to flash his shot wide. After a sustained period of pressure, the Reds should have been ahead in the 12th minute, but Marcus Rashford’s shot from 2 yards out cannoned off the goalkeeper. United were dominant right from kick off. The young Reds were in control of the match from start to finish, but needed a late first senior goal from Mason Greenwood to secure a 1-0 win. Solskjaer’s Striplings (we’re working on a name) showed both why they are so highly rated, and why they all may not be ready for the big stage just yet. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer followed through on his promise to place his faith in youth, and started a very young Manchester United side in Thursday’s Europa League opener.

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