Manchester United kept a second consecutive clean sheet for the first time this season as the Reds beat the Kazakhstani side 1-0 in this seasons Europa League curtain-raiser.
Mason Greenwood scored his first goal for United in the second half to secure all three points but how did the players perform? We take a look.
Sergio Romero: 6
Had nothing to do all evening.
Diogo Dalot: 6
A good shift on his return to the side after a long spell out. Will be left wondering how he didn’t score his first United goal after being first to Lingard’s shot off the post. Could challenge Luke Shaw this season.
Axel Tuanzebe: 6
Very little defending to do in this game but didn’t look out of place.
Phil Jones: 6
Like his defensive partner, Jones had next to little to do.
Marcos Rojo: 8
Arguably United’s biggest threat in the game. Two scuffed shots nearly led to Rashford scoring and came close with a venomous shot from 30 yards right before being substituted. Good shift.
Nemanja Matic: 5
Once again Matic looked to be out of place in this United team. A defensive midfielder who is heavily involved in build-up play but possesses next to no ability on the ball with often taking too many touches allowing the opposition to gather themselves. Easily pushed off the ball. Poor.
Fred: 6.5
Hit the crossbar in the first minute of the game with a scorcher of a strike and came close with a free-kick in the second half. First start for United since last seasons derby defeat at Old Trafford.
Mason Greenwood: 7
What a day for the 17-year-old. The young forward scored his first Manchester United goal in front of the Stretford End after receiving the ball from Fred. Greenwood beat his defender nicely and scored with a composed finish through the legs of the keeper.
The goal came just minutes after having a scrambled shot graze the post following a corner-kick falling nicely for the teenager. The question that will be asked though is if he really should be playing off the right and perhaps challenge Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial for the main central role.
Angel Gomes: 6
Some good touches in the first half with the game flowing through him for the first 30 odd minutes. Got lost in the game a bit towards the second half but a good first start for the club from Gomes.
Tahith Chong: 6
Chong looked a bit out of sorts on the evening with rarely beating his man, albeit largely due to Astana putting 10 players behind the ball. Chong struggled with his touch and lost the ball a fair few times but not something Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be worried about.
Marcus Rashford: 3
The forward could have and probably should have had a hat-trick today. The ball fell for Rashford perfectly in the first half following a corner but the Englishman fired straight at the keeper. Rashford connected with a floated pass from Rojo moments later after confusion between the Astana central defenders but his volley was easily saved by the goalkeeper.
You’d guess these are the type of chances Ole is stressing Rashford needs to score more of.
BENCH
Jesse Lingard
Came on and looked lively against the tired defence of Astana. Had a great strike turned onto the post by the goalkeeper in the second half.
Juan Mata
Ashley Young
Lee Grant
Harry Maguire
James Garner
Scott McTominay
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