Fenerbahçe Draw: Man United Player Ratings - A Night of Frustration in Istanbul
Manchester United's trip to Istanbul for their Europa League group stage clash against Fenerbahçe ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw. Despite dominating possession and creating a number of chances, Erik ten Hag's men couldn't find the back of the net, leaving them with just one point from their first two group games.
Here's a breakdown of the Man United players' performances, highlighting both the positives and the negatives:
Goalkeeper:
- Andre Onana (6/10): A relatively quiet night for the Cameroonian, with few real saves to make. His distribution, however, was a bit shaky at times, contributing to a lack of fluidity in the final third.
Defenders:
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka (7/10): Solid defensively, offering good support to the right-back position. His crosses, while not always successful, created some early opportunities.
- Raphael Varane (7/10): Commanding and composed, as always. Varane was a rock in the heart of the defense, nullifying Fenerbahçe's attacks with his aerial prowess and experience.
- Lisandro Martinez (7/10): Another solid performance from the Argentine. His aggressive tackling and ability to read the game were crucial in keeping Fenerbahçe's attackers at bay.
- Luke Shaw (6/10): A mixed bag. Shaw was effective in the build-up, his overlapping runs causing Fenerbahçe problems, but he was also caught out defensively on occasion.
Midfielders:
- Casemiro (7/10): Dominant in midfield, winning tackles and breaking up play with his trademark efficiency. His presence shielded the backline effectively, allowing the attackers to push forward with confidence.
- Christian Eriksen (6/10): A quiet game for Eriksen, who struggled to impose his influence on the match. He did create a couple of decent chances but was unable to find his usual rhythm.
- Bruno Fernandes (6/10): A frustrating night for the Portuguese star. Fernandes was lively and creative but lacked that killer instinct in front of goal. His set-piece delivery, however, remained a constant threat.
Attackers:
- Antony (6/10): The Brazilian winger was a constant threat down the right flank with his pace and trickery. He produced some dangerous crosses and attempted several shots, but couldn't find the back of the net.
- Marcus Rashford (5/10): A disappointing performance from Rashford. He looked isolated and lacked the spark that has become synonymous with his recent form. His finishing was particularly off-key.
- Alejandro Garnacho (5/10): The young Argentine was introduced as a second-half substitute but failed to make a significant impact. He showed glimpses of promise, but overall, it was a quiet night for him.
Substitutes:
- Scott McTominay (N/A): Came on late to add physicality to midfield.
- Anthony Martial (N/A): Brought in late in a bid to find a winning goal.
Overall:
A frustrating evening for Man United, who dominated the match in terms of possession and chances created but ultimately failed to convert their dominance into goals. The performance highlighted the importance of clinical finishing in the final third.
Key Takeaways:
- Finishing woes: The lack of goals was the most glaring issue for Man United. They need to improve their finishing efficiency, especially against a team like Fenerbahçe who sat deep and defended resolutely.
- Eriksen's struggles: Christian Eriksen is yet to find his feet this season. His usual creativity was missing, and he will need to find his rhythm quickly to be a crucial part of Ten Hag's plans.
- Garnacho's promise: While he failed to impact the game significantly, Alejandro Garnacho showed glimpses of his potential and could be a valuable asset for the future.
This draw, while disappointing, should not be viewed as a major setback. Man United have shown they are capable of creating chances, and they will be looking to find their scoring boots in their upcoming matches.