Manchester United set up a tantalising quarter final tie with fierce rivals Liverpool after a late Casemiro header gave the Red Devils the win against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Here are the key takeaways from the encounter:
Casemiro Strikes Late To Inspire Drab Manchester United: The Key Takeaways.
Into the #FACup quarter-finals! 💪#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 28, 2024
Sofyan Amrabat Lost At Sea
The Moroccan has endured a difficult loan spell with United after signing from Fiorentina in the summer, very rarely living up to the hype of a player who took the World Cup 2022 by storm. Playing at left-back in the absence of the injured Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, Amrabat endured a torrid evening up against former Liverpool men Divock Origi and Neco Williams, not only defensively but also with the ball at his feet.
United Wasteful With Their Chances
The Red Devils finished the game with 2.37 xG and squandered several presentable chance to take the lead before Casemiro’s late winner, with Antony hitting the bar and Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford also wasting good opportunities over the course of the game. Without the injured Rasmus Hojlund, Erik ten Hag’s side look somewhat toothless in the final third.
Without Luke Shaw, The Team’s Strength Is On The Right
Last season, Shaw and Rashford formed a formidable partnership down Manchester United’s left flank, the left back’s overlapping runs providing width when the winger cut inside onto his stronger right foot. It has to be said that Rashford has looked lost without Shaw this season, and even more so deputising for Hojlund as a number 9.
With the Dane out and the Englishan shifted into the middle, Alejandro Garnacho has been playing on the left wing and is far less dangerous as a result, as was the case again this evening. The Argentinian has four goals in nine games from the right, and yet just three from 23 on the left.
READ MORE: Pundit Suggests Man Utd ‘Already Know’ Future Of Erik Ten Hag
On the other hand, Diogo Dalot continues to impress on the right and even Antony played well.
Manchester United face cross-town rivals Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, March 3. Kick off is at 3:30pm.
