Manchester United beat Astana 1-0 at Old Trafford in their first UEFA Europa League group stage match of the season. It was a frustrating game for United, who had made nine changes from the victory over Leicester City with Marcus Rashford the only player to retain his place in the team. 17-year-old Mason Greenwood scored the only goal of the game.
United got the breakthrough in the 68th minute of the match, five minutes after Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong were replaced by Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard. Fred started the chance by spreading the ball into Greenwood, who went to shoot with his left foot, opting for his right instead, drilling the ball low and hard into the far corner of the goal.
It could be seen as a learning curve for some of United’s fringe players who need time in order to find themselves playing in the first team. There was a distinct lack of creativity in the team against Astana but that does not mean that these players are not good enough. The headlines will be dominated by the fact that Greenwood opened up his account for United.
[player_ratings id=”98052″]
Goals: Mason Greenwood 73′
Assists: Fred 73′
Manchester United: Romero; Dalot, Tuanzebe, Jones, Rojo (Young 79′); Fred, Matic; Greenwood, Gomes (Mata 68′), Chong (Lingard 68′); Rashford
Substitutes Not Used: Grant; Maguire; Garner, McTominay
Bookings: Fred 85′
