Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United rectified their disastrous start to the Europa League this season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Ukrainian outfit Zorya Luhansk at Old Trafford on Friday. The Red Devils struggled to break through a well-organized side on the night but Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and his presence of mind got United the only goal on the night which gave Mourinho all three points from the second group game of Europe’s second tier competition. There were a number of changes to the United side on the night and here is how they fared in the game against Zorya:
Sergio Romero (6):
Had a quiet night as he hardly had anything to do but kept his cool to put out the only real attempt on goal from Paulinho in the second half.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah (6):
Superb at the back, sniffing out every attack from the visitors and was also influential in the final third as he delivered the ball in that got Zlatan his goal.
Eric Bailly (5):
Looked uncomfortable at times on the night as he was caught out of position trying too many things. Was also booked for a silly foul right after the restart.
Chris Smalling (7):
Arguably the best performance from the center back this season, Smalling, who was not really troubled on the night, was superb whenever called upon putting in a serious performance on the night.
Marcos Rojo (5):
Hardly the performance that will get him back into the squad, Rojo seemed to be absent on more than a couple of times as Karavaev flew past him with relative ease.
Marouane Fellaini (6):
Was decent in front of the defense as he broke up Zorya’s play more than a couple of times but was found wanting when his team was in possession of the ball.
Paul Pogba (6):
A decent performance from the Frenchman who grew into the game in the second half. It is clear that he is still adjusting to his life at Old Trafford.
Jesse Lingard (6):
Was full of energy on the night as he kept his team in the hunt for the whole game recovering balls and helping his side set up attacks from his flank.
Juan Mata (6):
Was at it against the visitors all night as he was alert to every possibility of setting his teammates up for a goal. Another decent performance to earn a place in the starting XI at the weekend.
Marcus Rashford (7):
Played out wide on the right but did not fail to impress as he put in a superb effort and almost got himself a goal when he thumped the bar in the first half from a sumptuous attempt.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (6):
Though quite for the whole game, the Swede showed his importance to the side as he took the only real opportunity that fell his way to get his team all three points from the game.
Subs:
Wayne Rooney (6):
Made an instant impact after coming on in the second half, after his mis-hit gave Zlatan his goal of the night. But slowly faded away as the game progressed.
Anthony Martial (5):
Came in to replace Mata with 15 minutes to play but failed to have a huge impact on the game.
Ashley Young (6):
Also came in with 15 minutes to play and managed to stay tight and help his team over the line on the night.