PAOK vs Man Utd: A Night of Frustration and Missed Opportunities
Let's be honest, folks, this wasn't exactly a vintage performance from the Red Devils. Sure, they got the win, but it wasn't pretty. The 0-1 victory against PAOK in the Europa League felt like a bit of a slog. Those Greek defenders were a tough nut to crack, and our boys didn't quite bring the fire we expected. So, how did everyone perform? Let's dive into the player ratings!
The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh"
David de Gea: The Spaniard was a brick wall in goal. He pulled off a couple of absolutely world-class saves that kept the clean sheet intact. A solid 8/10.
Victor Lindelof: A steady performance from the Swede, who kept things tight at the back. He was solid but unspectacular. A 7/10.
Eric Bailly: Now, this is where things get interesting. Bailly was his usual fiery self, throwing himself into tackles and making some crucial interceptions. But, he also gave away a couple of dangerous free kicks. A bit of a mixed bag, a 6.5/10.
Ashley Young: The veteran full-back put in a shift, but he's definitely past his prime. A few questionable passes and a couple of risky tackles didn't help. A 6/10.
Scott McTominay: The Scottish powerhouse put in a tireless shift in midfield, covering every blade of grass. He was a real engine for the team. A solid 7/10.
Nemanja Matic: Matic controlled the midfield with his usual authority, dictating the pace and breaking up play. A 7.5/10.
Jesse Lingard: The Englishman had a frustrating night. He had a few decent touches and chances, but he just couldn't find the back of the net. A 5.5/10.
Anthony Martial: He was a bit quiet in the first half but came alive in the second half. He looked dangerous on the ball and eventually put in a beautiful cross for the winning goal. A 7/10.
Alexis Sanchez: He's still trying to find his feet at Old Trafford. A few good moments but also a lot of frustrating misses. A 6/10.
Romelu Lukaku: The big Belgian was the hero of the day! He was a constant threat to the PAOK defense and finally found the back of the net with a well-taken goal. An 8/10.
The Verdict: A win is a win, but it was a far from convincing performance from Manchester United. They were lucky not to concede, and their attack was too often predictable. The players need to step up their game if they want to go deep in this competition.