Marcus Rashford and Antony Martial came off the bench to turn around what would have been an embarrassing and damaging result in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia.
In fairness, the result probably flatters the home side. United dominated possession and created a myriad of chances, but were wasteful in front of goal; hitting the woodwork twice.
More concerning was the concession of two goals to a team that most recently finished 7th out of 12 in UEFA’s 21st-ranked European League.
Put simply – United really should be hammering teams like Omonia Nicosia, and keeping clean sheets.
Erik ten Hag was frustrated with large parts of United’s performance, particularly after conceding the first goal:
“First 30 minutes – really well done; we had a couple of chances against a compact opponent – which is not easy – but then we made a mistake, and had ten minutes that were really bad.
“That cannot happen, we have to take responsibility. First; not giving goals in this manner away, but [after conceding the first goal] – deal with it, stick to the plan, keep in position, [keep passing the ball effectively] and don’t do stupid things, like we did.
“We kept [Omonia] alive in the game when we made the mistake in the first half. When you get the first goal, life is easier.”
Erik Ten Hag after the game
However, he was pleased with aspects of the performance, particularly in the second half.
“We had more runs and more movement behind, and the subs had an impact on the game; Marcus, Anthony and also Luke [Shaw]. They kept the tempo high, there was more movement and [they were effective in front of goal]. This win gives us a better position in the group, and we have to win this group – that is clear.”
Ten Hag continued
The result means United still control their own Europa League fate – sort of. We are 3 points behind Real Sociedad with a -2 goal difference. However, United still have to play Sociedad in Spain. Winning the group is vital; this season, second place finishers have to play a play-off from third-place finishers in Champions League groups.
Ronaldo frustrated – Martial and Rashford clinical
Whilst he didn’t play terribly, it was a day to forget for Cristiano Ronaldo, who played a full 90 minutes.
The Portuguese legend hit the post and snatched at a couple of other chances – even his assist for Rashford’s second was a mis-struck shot. Currently stuck on 699 club goals, he cut a frustrated figure all night, which could have as much to do with his general standing in this current United team as last night’s game.
Martial and Rashford were the ones providing the spark United needed. Rashford’s first was a sumptuous touch, turn and shot from 20 yards, and his first-time flick for Martial’s low, driven finish was excellent. For his second goal Rashford drove United forward on the counter and combined with Ronaldo to take a 3-1 lead.
Shaky defensive moments
Omonia’s goals came from United errors.
Tyrell Malacia’s poor touch in the Omonia half allowed the Cypriots to break away and score, but United were woefully over-committed to attacking the corner. Hopefully this was just sign of over-confidence from the Reds, and not something that would ever be repeated against higher-quality opposition. Malacia himself had a forgettable outing today and was switched for Luke Shaw at half-time.
Victor Lindelof – in for the injured Varane – generally played okay but looked a little off the pace, and it was his loose touch that let Omonia in for the second to make the score 2-3.
Ten Hag will have concerns at the back with Malacia’s poor showing, Varane’s availability uncertain and Harry Maguire also out.
Negative Sancho
Against a team set up in a ‘low block’, it’s always difficult for front-footed players like Jadon Sancho.
However, for a player with his price tag, ability and reputation, you would still have liked to see more from him. Jadon seems like a player lacking belief. Too often last night he would take the easy option; turning back and playing an easy pass rather than attacking his full-back and making things happen.
His performance last night seems to fly in the face of Ten Hag’s philosophy of being ‘brave in possession’.
At 22 he still has a potentially very bright future at United, and we know he has the ability from his Dortmund days and flashes in a United shirt. Hopefully, Ten Hag can work out how to get the best out Jadon; it would be such a shame if he became a bit-part player, like so many United signings over the last decade.
Based on last night, it’s difficult to argue that he should start against Everton over Rashford, Martial or Antony.
A must-win league game
Make no mistake about it, the game against Everton this weekend is a massive one.
After United’s mini-revival, the capitulation against City seemed to set us back and last night was far from convincing. Everton are coming off the back of two league wins and the atmosphere will be a raucous, hostile one. United lost this fixture 1-0 last season.
Erik ten Hag has got a lot of thinking and preparing to do and not long to do it. United have a very busy October with some tough fixtures. A battling, committed performance and convincing win would do so much for us after the derby-day disappointment, but a lackluster showing and bad result could really throw a spanner into the works of the Ten Hag rebuild.