May 5, 2019
Manchester United drew 1-1 with already-relegated Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League. Scott McTominay opened the scoring for United but an Isaac Mbenza equaliser placed yet more embarrassment on the Old Trafford club who have missed out on UEFA Champions League football next season.
United started well against Huddersfield and took charge of the fixture in the eighth minute. Scott McTominay opened the scoring after United won a free-kick with the academy graduate getting forward before picking up the ball. He then got around Terence Kongolo before laying off his strike, which struck the legs of Jonas Lossl before bulging into the bottom corner.
It was a dire affair and United just did not seem up for taking this already relegated side to the cleaners. On the hour mark, Isaac Mbenza scored the equaliser for Huddersfield after Lossl played the ball upfield, getting the assist. David De Gea will not be happy with himself once again for such a poor goal to concede. United need to find some answers this summer.
Match Statistics:
Goals: Isaac Mbenza 60′; Scott McTominay 8′
Assists: Jonas Lossl 60′
Manchester United: De Gea; Young, Jones, Lindelof (Dalot 83′), Shaw; McTominay, Matic (Herrera 53′), Pogba; Mata; Rashford, Sanchez (Chong 54′)
Substitutes Not Used: Grant; Smalling; Pereira, Fred
Bookings: Jonas Lossl 90+4′; Phil Jones 33′
1 David De Gea
The Spanish number one made a good save, with his feet, in the first half of the match but soon saw another goal conceded this season after Isaac Mbenza found the equaliser. The goalkeeper will not be happy with that conceded goal or United’s current poor form.
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18 Ashley Young
He is not THE problem at the club but he is one of the constants. Too old. Too slow. Poor in possession and seems to be struggling at every aspect in the game recently. What would most clubs do in this instance? Let him go. What did United do? Signed him for another year!
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4 Phil Jones
The fact that this guy is still playing football at this level is surprising. Injury prone, poor in possession, even in position the majority of the time. He looks like a fan of the club who won a competition to play in the heart of defence.
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2 Victor Lindelof
The Swedish international had a much better game than he did in the same stadium last season. He was solid for the majority of the time he spent on the pitch. He more than made up for his partners defensive errors, of which there were many of. Would be so much better alongside a commanding defender who has leadership ability. Seemed to have a knock and was replaced by Diogo Dalot in the 83rd minute.
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23 Luke Shaw
The England left-back has had a good season, one which was largely injury free – a change for him. Against Huddersfield, his forward plays lacked everything needed in a positional and creative sense. He lost the ball halfway up the pitch which turned into the equaliser.
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39 Scott McTominay
The 22-year-old opened the scoring for United, running into the box before collecting the ball and launching his shot towards goal. It was his second goal of the season. He was one of the few players who stood out, seemed to want to get stuck in and drive United but he could not carry the dead weight of those who did not want the same, of which there seemed to be many.
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31 Nemanja Matic
Won possession from the Huddersfield players quite often, when they were pushing to break through United’s midfield. However, he seemed out of his depth late in the first half and was replaced by Ander Herrera eight minutes into the second half.
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6 Paul Pogba
Not good enough today. Not good enough for much of the season. Yes, he has scored goals this season but that does not mean he deserves any special treatment. He’s his own worst enemy at times. Against Huddersfield, he played like he just did not care about the club, the result or the part he has played in this poor season. Should have been left on the bench.
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8 Juan Mata
The Spanish attacking midfielder started well against Huddersfield, playing some smart passes and making United look like they were much better than they were. However, his influence in the game soon died and United were in a position that they did not have the skill or ability to get back out of.
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10 Marcus Rashford
A player with so much skill and talent devoid of form and ability. Marcus Rashford has not really looked all that great since that victory over PSG in March. Something needs to give and for me, that would be a rest starting now. United have nothing to aim for this season so they don’t need to add to Rashford’s problems.
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7 Alexis Sanchez
The Chilean has earned a lot of money in his short time at United, if reports of his wage structure are true. However, apart from emptying the coffers of the club, he will not be remembered for much. He seems to be a player on the decline. He did have some good moments against Huddersfield but another injury ended his game, maybe his season but almost certainly his United career.
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Substitutes
21 Ander Herrera
Replaced Matic 53′. Should have started the match but I can see why he didn’t because of the injury he’s just come back from. He looked to grab the game by the balls, trying to show some fight. To think that Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Ashley Young have been kept and Herrera could leave shows you how badly this club is being run right now.
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44 Tahith Chong
Replaced Sanchez 54′. The 19-year-old seemed to be put of his depth at times but that did not stop him from trying. It’s clear he’s a player with talent but lacking experience. Every little helps. I admire him for the confidence he had shown against Huddersfield, even forcing a save from Jonas Lossl.
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20 Diogo Dalot
Replaced Lindelof 83′. The Portuguese teenager did not have much time to create an impact in the game. Should have started the match as he offers more than Ashley Young does. Hopefully he starts next weekend.
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