5
The Purple Devils had been roundly overwhelmed 3-0 by neighbours Manchester Metropolis at Previous Trafford this afternoon.
Through the opening minutes, United uncharacteristically retained a majority of possession, nevertheless, Metropolis would quickly show how threatening they are often even with the smallest of openings.
Within the eighth minute, nevertheless, the guests nearly grabbed the lead when Andre Onana simply managed to cease a header from Phil Foden.
The rebound fell to the toes of Erling Haaland, and whereas Onana made a second save, the ball trickled loosely towards the purpose line, with Harry Maguire clearing to security.
Whereas United struggled to successfully open up passing lanes on the assault, they nonetheless did properly to shut down Metropolis and hold Haaland contained.
Across the twentieth minute mark, the guests seemed harmful, with Onana producing a diving save to tip a threatening cross across the submit for a nook.
24 minutes in, Rasmus Hojlund acquired a a hand on Rodri’s jersey as he bumped into the field for a nook.
As soon as the Man Metropolis midfielder dropped to the ground, the referee turned to VAR to overview the incident.
He finally awarded what seemed to be a tender penalty to Metropolis, with Haaland slotting the ball into the underside proper nook at hand Metropolis the early lead.
After half-hour, Hojlund broke by means of the Metropolis defence to go one-on-one with the keeper.
The tempo at which the Metropolis backline tracked again left him little time to react, nevertheless, and he was compelled to put the ball off to Fernandes, who blasted his shot excessive.
Eight minutes from the break, Onana was referred to as into motion but once more, this time to tip a dipping shot from Julian Alvarez over the bar.
In stoppage time, United acquired their greatest alternative of the sport to date when Rashford’s hovering cross discovered McTominay, who unleashed a thunderous half-volley that required fast reactions from Ederson.
Moments earlier than the half-time whistle, Onana proved his value but once more when he stopped a strong close-range shot by Haaland to maintain United within the match.
Whereas a penalty could also be all that separated the 2 sides on the break, United would little doubt need to take a look at Metropolis’s defence extra typically within the second as they seemed to degree the scoreline.
Mason Mount got here on for Amrabat at first of the second half; a transfer Ten Hag would hope might instil some extra vitality into the United midfield.
Virtually instantly, a change of momentum may very well be felt, as a United nook bounced out to Fernandes, whose shot from distance was saved.
Moments later, nevertheless, Metropolis caught United off-guard with a fast-paced counter assault, leaving an unmarked Haaland to move the ball into the web.
56 minutes in, Onana saved a long-distance shot from Jack Grealish, giving United a glimmer of hope for launching a comeback.
Sadly for the house workforce, they continued to look uncomfortable on the ball, thus including to Metropolis’s confidence as a threatening cross from Grealish throughout the face of purpose threatened to lead to a 3rd purpose.
United’s struggles up entrance continued, with a number of counter assaults and crosses into the field being simply handled by the guests’ defence.
Within the 68th minutes, Christian Eriksen threaded an extended vary cross by means of to Marcus Rashford.
Whereas Rashford was in a major place to attain, his shot skimmed extensive of the submit.
20 minutes from time, Onana was referred to as into motion but once more when he saved Haaland’s close-range shot after the Norwegian sprinted by means of a spot within the United defence.
With 17 minutes of normal time to play, Hojlund made means for Alejandro Garnacho, whereas Lindelof was changed by Sergio Reguilon.
79 minutes in, Onana parried a long-range effort from Rodri, which made its approach to Haaland on the appropriate.
The striker handed the ball to Foden who was ready within the centre, who buried Metropolis’s third purpose of the evening to actually hammer the ultimate nail within the coffin for United in what was actually an evening to overlook.
With 5 minutes left on the clock, Antony got here on for Eriksen whereas Rashford was changed by Anthony Martial.
Sadly, Ten Hag’s modifications had minimal influence on the sport because the guests continued to comfortably maintain onto possession.
In stoppage time, Antony misplaced his head when he bodily confronted Jeremy Doku after laying into the Metropolis winger with a tough sort out.
The Brazilian was proven a yellow card for his present of aggression.
In the end, it was a dismal displaying by United, who had been dominated in each facet of play in entrance of the Previous Trafford crowd.
Erik ten Hag will little doubt be stressing about his future on the membership if he doesn’t change United’s fortunes round for the higher, and quick.
Beginning XI: Onana, Lindelof, Amrabat, Maguire, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund, Eriksen, Dalot, Evans, McTominay
Subs: Mount, Garnacho, Reguilon, Eriksen, Martial
