Manchester United’s miserable season continued with a goalless draw against Valencia in the Champions League.
A clash that pitted 10th in the Premier League against 14th in La Liga lived up to its shoddy billing. The limp hosts struggled to create decent chances, with Marcus Rashford’s rattling of the crossbar from an ambitious free-kick out wide in the 86th minute providing the sole highlight.
Here, we analyse the performance of the England forward in this dismal Group H-contest.
STATISTICS
Goals – 0
Assists – 0
Shots – 6
Shots on target – 1
Touches – 60
Passes – 31
Key passes – 0
Dribbles – 2
Dispossessed – 3
30-SECOND REPORT
Rashford was entrusted with cutting inside from the left flank and blasting in the shots to unsettle a Valencia defence that were happy to sit deep.
Threatened with a low shot and blocked header in the first half. Then, rocked the woodwork in the desperate final throes for a side devoid of ideas and invention.
After the final whistle, dropped disconsolately onto the floor. An image to sum up the current maudlin mood at Old Trafford.
4 - Jose Mourinho has gone four consecutive home games in all competitions without a win for the first time in his managerial career. Frustration. pic.twitter.com/hHV9kQ6fSg
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 2, 2018
GOT RIGHT
At least he tried – Rashford was lively on both flanks, always looking to force his full-back into stretching and straining. His six shots was two more than any United player, plus he also led the way for crosses with 11.
GOT WRONG
Making it count – Now comes the flipside. When a promising position was worked into, he continuously failed to make the most of it. Shots were either wide or harmless, while just one of his crosses was accurate. His corner were, also, largely dreadful.
KEY MOMENTS
26th min CHANCE: Skipped past a few Valencia defenders and pinged a low shot into the grasp of Brazil goalkeeper Neto.
27th min CHANCE: Sanchez launches in a cross that Rashford’s head connects with. Ex-Argentina centre-back Ezequiel Garay looks to block it with his hand, but no penalty kick given.
55th min CHANCE: Sanchez, again, chips one in after some neat footwork from Pogba. Rashford slices the bouncing ball and it is repelled by the excellent Valencia anchor man Geoffrey Kondogbia.
86th min WOODWORK: Smashed a set-piece onto the crossbar at breakneck speed. Neto had no chance if it was an inch lower.
VERDICT
Tried to lead the charge for listless United, but couldn’t stop the embattled Jose Mourinho going four matches without a win for the first time in his managerial career.
At 20-years old, the scorer of a delightful flick last time out in defeat at West Ham United remains a work in progress – albeit one that is performing better than the awful Sanchez.
With results as they are, appears that another boss will be in place to reap the benefits in the future.
RATING: 6/10
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com
