After a nerve wracking win against Everton, Manchester United hosted Omonia in a Europa League game. Manchester United lacked any composure in front of goal and missed a lot of chances. It took until added time for McTominay to break the deadlock for the Red Devils. The last time these two teams met Omonia scored with 5 minutes to go to make it 2-3 and set up a nerve wracking ending.
Here are five major takeaways from Manchester United’s home clash with Omonia:
Bruno is becoming a more of a problem
Every time Bruno gets the ball he wants to hit it as hard as he can which makes it hard for United to keep possession. When United dominate the ball we don’t usually see a good Bruno. When playing against teams like this Sancho is more effective then him. This is because in transition Bruno can thrive but not against low blocks. Bruno doesn’t do well against low blocks because he has no patience against these teams. He could have easily been taken off in the second half.
Sancho is a difference maker
Jadon Sancho made a difference when he came on. This is because games like this against teams with a low block suit him down to a tee. When he came on he brought composure and got the assist for the McTominay goal. He also slowed the game down which allowed the United to open them up. The Red Devils need him in games like this where the opposition team is coming for a draw. His cameo off the bench is one reason why it is good that Manchester United has a variation in attacking options.
Casemiro is crucial in Ten Hag’s Manchester United system
Casemiro was unbelievable against Omonoia last night. His passing ability is an aspect of his game that is underrated. His range of passing was vital when he played a pass for the Rashford chance when he cut in and shoot. He has the ability to ping the ball with both feet which is a good weapon that he has at his disposal. The Brazilian is everything that ten Hag’s wants as he can play one-two touch and has the ability to get forward. The biggest weapon that he has at his disposal is his ability to win the ball back which allows United to initiate the attack. The defensive positions he picks up when he is not winning the ball back is crucial and he is not afraid to put in a tackle.
Manchester United finishing was poor
Manchester United needed more composure in front of goal last night. They had 34 shots (22 inside the box) with the last shot inside the box giving them the goal. Rashford in particular was wasteful for Manchester United. Within the first 5 minutes Bruno passed it to Rashford from a corner. From the resulting pass Rashford took a shot from the edge of the penalty box which was tipped over the bar by Uzoho. He had another shot in the 27th minute which was curling into the bottom corner if it had not been tipped away by Uzoho. In the second half he shot wide when through on goal.
It was not Ronaldo’s day
Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t lay a glove on Omonoia which shows that he is better off the bench. As a substitute, he was quite effective in the weekend game against Everton. There was a point in the game last night where both him and Bruno were offside. He was unfortunate infront of goal when he turned outside the edge of the box and had a shot. The shot he had curled wide. Ronaldo struggling is sad as Manchester United don’t have a sub for him with Martial injured.