Manchester United welcomed Rangers to Old Trafford in the Europa League’s penultimate league match.
Altay Bayindir replaced Andre Onana in nets after his howlers versus Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend.
Amad Diallo and Diogo Dalot started in the wingback positions with Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro forming the back three.
There was a surprise in the centre of park when Ruben Amorim shuffled his pack to give Toby Collyer a first European start and partnered him with Bruno Fernandes.
Joshua Zirkzee kept his place up front with Christian Eriksen and Alejandro Garnacho either side of him, in spite of rumours linking the latter with a move to Chelsea and SSC Napoli.
Here are three things we learnt from the match.
United start slow again at Old Trafford
The Red Devils will be pleased that they did not concede a goal in the first half after giving a host of visitors to Old Trafford early advantages, including last weekend against Brighton.
Nonetheless, United took a while to warm up and for much of the half their play was laborious and predictable.
Rangers were happy to defend in numbers and United once again seemed rather clueless as to how to find a key to unlock the Scottish Premier League side’s defence.
Worryingly, no matter what striker plays as a starter at the moment, they are rarely involved in the game and the team doesn’t play to their strengths.
This was once again on show as Zirkzee did not receive the ball to feet often and was on the periphery for the majority of the game.
Collyer looks at ease in midfield
The 21 year old was making his first start in European competition and did not look out of place on the pitch.
The Englishman was neat and tidy in possession and certainly did not shy away from the ball.
Collyer’s main strengths are his physical attributes and he got around the pitch well as he made a few interceptions and tackles to help break up Rangers’ play.
He was brought off after 73 minutes and received a strong reception from the home crowd in appreciation of his night’s work.
With Casemiro clearly not in Amorim’s good books, Collyer may see his game time increase over the course of the season when Manuel Ugarte needs a rest.
Lisandro Martinez makes timely return to form
The Argentine defender has had a tough season where he has been far from his best.
He has had to take on a significant amount of criticism from pundits and his own fans but he put in a fantastic performance tonight.
Martinez was tough in the tackle and proactive as he regularly snuffed out Rangers’ attacks.
It was also fitting that he got the assist for Bruno Fernandes’ late winner in front of the Stretford End with a wonderfully whipped in delivery that was just asking to be buried.
United fans will be hoping this can be a platform for “The Butcher” to return to the player they know and love.
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
