Manchester United fans were over the moon when the draw for Europa League knock out rounds were revealed. Facing a team from Denmark, who are largely supported by Biscuit Factory people did not seem like a tough task at the time.
Well, those fans must be pulling the hair out of their heads right now trying to understand what hit them. United had no answer against a team, who have not played a single game since December and have not won 7 out of their last 10 competitive games.
The game started brightly for the home side, who looked sharper and fitter of the two teams. The hunger and desire to win the game was obvious from the first kick to the very last. For them, Man United’s visit was an occasion to savor, and they did it in style.
Midtjylland 2 Manchester United 1: Match Stats
In fact, Midtjylland should have taken the lead on 36th minute, but Sergio Romero made a massive save and allowed United to take the lead just 56 seconds later. Memphis Depay somehow managed to control the ball and strike it the first time to find a way pass Midtjylland’s keeper.
The lead should have settled the nerves for United, but it was to be a start of nervous wreck for the remaining minutes. Midtjylland kept going at United, and made their pressure count by forcing an error from Michael Carrick and scoring from it as well.
Peone Sisto gave Romero no chance to save his sweetly struck shot, which brought the game to level. United started the second half well, but their initial promise faded away when the home side continued to dominate the play with their counter attacking style.
In search of the win, home side sent Paul Onuacha, and the Nigerian striker did not disappoint. His skills on the ball and decisive runs made it hard for United to play out from the back. In the end, he showed his shooting skills as well by thumping home the winner on 77th minute.
Juan Mata gave away the ball and summed up United’s display on the night. It was a horror show for the away fans, who traveled all the way to Denmark, paid £71 instead of £25 and witnessed such a disastrous performance.
Match Report: Midtjylland 2 Manchester United 1
Besides the defeat, the worse part for United on the night was that no one could even argue that Midtjylland got away with a lucky result. They thoroughly deserved the win and were unlucky to have not scored couple of more goals.
Stand-in keeper Sergio Romero pulled off 3 spectacular saves on the night to give the scoreline some respectability. Had Romero not been there, forget about the game, the whole tie could have slipped away from Man United.
As it stands, United have the away goal through Memphis and will have all to do in the second leg of the tie next Thursday. One can only imagine, what if Midtjylland pull off a similar result at Old Trafford in about 7 days’ time. Where will it leave Louis Van Gaal and Manchester United?
Image credit: getty
