MUFC Player Ratings: Zorya Luhansk vs Manchester United
Having dropped two points against Everton in the Premier League, Champions League qualification is looking harder than ever for Manchester United if it is going to be secured through domestic competition. However, given the rules introduced two years ago, victory in the Europa League now rewards a Champions League spot for the following season. All United have to do now is win it. A feat easier said than done, especially with the likes of Tottenham Hotspurs, Olympique Lyonnais and Borussia Mönchengladbach dropping into the knock out rounds of the Europa League with third place finishes in the Champions League group stages.
A trip to Ukraine for a game against Zorya Luhansk was United’s last task in this year’s Europa League group stage. A point would secure qualification and a win, if Fenerbahçe lost to Feyenoord, would see the Red Devils top the group. Jose Mourinho, therefore, had plenty of reason to field a strong team. More reason still was United’s woeful away form in European competition over the last two seasons; the Reds’ last away win was against Club Brugge on the 26th of August (…2015).
Mourinho did not disappoint. The Portuguese manager started a slow, yet very talented and experienced front four of Henrik Mkhitaryan, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovi?. Behind them sat Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera, tasked with dictating the midfield. The defence was less convincing. Ashley Young came in for the rested Antonio Valencia and Daley Blind for the rested Matteo Darmian. Marcos Rojo partnered the match-fitness-searching Eric Bailly at the heart of defence with Sergio Romero stepping in for David De Gea between the sticks.
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The first half was a grim reminder of the dark days under Louis van Gaal; 76% possession at half time and no clear goal scoring opportunities of note. You could blame the frozen pitch all you want, but the fact of the matter is Zorya were organised and the Reds did not have the ingenuity to break them down. Fortunately, Mkhitaryan decided to singlehandedly drag United in front after the break with a superb solo run and finish. Zorya were not without their chances, however, and Romero was alert to make decent saves in both halves. Zlatan put the game to bed in the 88th minute when he broke the Ukrainian offside trap and calmly tucked the ball past Igor Levchenko.
Unfortunately for United, Fenerbahçe proceeded to beat Feyenoord 1-0 which means that the Reds qualified in second place, potentially facing one of the teams which dropped down from the Champions League earlier in the week. Despite that fact, United are still the odds-on favourites in the competition. It may be Jose’s last chance at making it into Europe’s elite competition next season, and so, he should take full advantage of his opportunity.
Player Ratings
GK: Sergio Romero: 7
Made a good save in the 8th minute from a low Igor Kharatin shot. Had to be alert to react to Mikhail Sivakov’s header in the 72nd minute when Zorya were pushing for an equaliser. Looked fairly solid and his distribution, normally the Argentine’s worst attribute, was good despite the tricky circumstances.
RB: Ashley Young: 6
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Was hardly tested defensively and did not make much impact going forward either. His crosses were easily intercepted and his lack of ingenuity in one-on-one scenarios left his teammates down. Made two tackles and won two headers. Unlikely to replace Valencia at right back for the Premier League fixture on Sunday.
RCB: Eric Bailly: 7
A very good return for the Ivorian who has been sorely missed at the centre of United’s defence. Won the joint most tackles of any United player (5) and was impassable. Took some testing from Dennis Bonaventure when he came on but held his own. Even had an audacious overhead kick saved in the first half. Probably should have been sent off for a second yellow when he fail to control his temper and kicked out at a Zorya player in the final minute of the game.
LCB: Marcos Rojo: 7
Another reasonably solid outing for the fifth choice centre back. Was untested defensively and actually made some impressive runs forward when United were lacking any penetration in the first half. Will probably be replaced by Phil Jones for United’s fixture against Tottenham Hotspurs on Sunday.
LB: Daley Blind: 6
Like Ashley Young, failed to have any real impact on the game defensively or offensively. Put a few teasing balls into the box in the first half and his corner taking was a par for the course.
RDM: Ander Herrera: 7
Another industrious game for the little Spaniard in midfield. Won five tackles, the most of any United player alongside Rojo, and recycled possession smartly. Seemed to be the only player in red pressing in the first half and created a few promising moves by winning the ball high up the pitch. A sloppy pass in the second half gave Bonaventure the chance to counter but their chance amounted to nothing. Some late challenges in the final twenty minutes earned the Spaniard a yellow, but all in all, a good performance from one of the Reds’ most consistent players this season.
LDM: Paul Pogba: 7
A much better game than his non-showing at Goodison Park last weekend. Won five dribbles, more than double anyone else on the pitch, and showed great aerial prowess winning more headers than any other United player (3). Shot too often in the first half with all of his efforts off target. Played a much simpler game in the second half and excelled; his dribbling was penetrative and the Frenchman picked up an assist for Ibrahimovi?’s goal.
RM: Juan Mata: 6
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A very quiet game for the Spaniard, who can often go missing in matches before popping up with an important intervention. Unfortunately, Mata did not have any such intervention on Thursday night. Looked out of ideas in the final third and much of his passing was wasteful. Struggled to pick Zorya’s very tricky lock and was substituted in the 65th minute.
CAM: Wayne Rooney: 6
Like Mata, the game seemed to pass United’s skipper by; was not the rampaging bull that we saw against West Ham in the EFL Quarter Final. Had a few decent long range efforts at the end of the first half but they were either just wide or easily saved. His first touch seemed to be back to its awful self, either that or his foot had frozen solid just like the pitch underneath him. England’s Captain is unlikely to have forced his way back into Mourinho’s plans in time for the clash at Old Trafford with Spurs.
LM: Henrik Mkhitaryan: 8
The Armenian has won three man of the match awards in his last four starts, the latest of which came on Thursday night. His ability to run with the ball at speed while analysing the movement of his teammates is completely unique. Not only was his progressive link up play notable, but his work rate too; tracking back from one of United’s corners at the end of the first half, Mkhitaryan stopped a potentially dangerous counter attack in its tracks. His tackle on the half way line in the 47th minute led to his mazy run and comfortable finish which gave the Reds the lead. Showed his ability from set pieces when he floated a very accurate cross for Fellaini to head over the bar in the 75th minute.
ST: Zlatan Ibrahimovi?: 7
Another one of the Swede’s horrendously-frustrating-yet-you-cannot-be-angry-because-he-scored games. In the first half, Zlatan’s forward passes were finding no one and he dropped so deep in search of the ball that when United lost possession he had to do some unexpected defensive work. In the second half, Ibra grew into the game and started causing Zorya some real problems with his physicality. His strength led to a good header which teed up Lingard for a shot past the post. His clever run broke Zorya’s offside trap and the big Swede gave Levchenko the eyes before sending him the wrong way in his one-on-one, doubling United’s score line and putting the game beyond all reasonable doubt.
Subs
Jessie Lingard: 6
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Replaced Mata in the 64th minute and added a bit more movement and pace to United’s attack. His finish from Ibra’s knock down was poor when he had time to compose himself and potentially pick out a teammate.
Marouane Fellaini: 6
The scapegoated Belgian came on Rooney in the 69th minute to shore up United’s midfield. Added some rigidness and allowed Pogba to push further forward. Lost Mikhail Sivakov for his header in the 72nd minute which was well saved by Romero.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah: N/A
Was unfortunate not to start in the place of Ashley Young at right back. Came on to replace Mkhitaryan and took up an unorthodox right-wing role. The Dutch youngster seemed to enjoy his short cameo, playing a nice one-two with Zlatan before forcing Levchenko into a smart save at his near post.
