Man Utd Player Ratings: Bodo/Glimt - A Tough Night in Norway
Manchester United's Europa League clash against Bodo/Glimt proved a more challenging encounter than many anticipated. While the final scoreline might not reflect the complete narrative, the performance left much to be desired from several players. Let's delve into the individual player ratings:
Goalkeeper
David de Gea (6/10): De Gea had a relatively quiet night, largely untested by Bodo/Glimt's attack. While he couldn't prevent the goals, he was not directly at fault for either. A solid, if unspectacular, performance.
Defenders
Diogo Dalot (6.5/10): Dalot offered some decent attacking contributions, providing width on the right flank. Defensively, he was occasionally caught out of position, but generally held his own.
Victor Lindelöf (5.5/10): Lindelöf looked shaky at times, struggling to cope with Bodo/Glimt's movement and pace. He needs to be more commanding at the back.
Lisandro Martínez (6/10): Martínez, while solid in possession, didn't entirely prevent Bodo/Glimt from creating chances. A mixed bag overall.
Tyrell Malacia (6/10): Malacia put in a decent shift defensively, showing good energy and commitment. His attacking contributions were less effective.
Midfielders
Casemiro (7/10): Casemiro, as usual, was a positive influence in midfield, offering stability and composure. His passing accuracy and defensive interventions were key. One of the few stand-out performers.
Christian Eriksen (6.5/10): Eriksen controlled the tempo of the game well, dictating play from the midfield. His vision and passing range were evident, but he could have been more decisive in the final third.
Bruno Fernandes (5.5/10): A disappointing performance from the captain. Fernandes lacked his usual creativity and influence, failing to impact the game significantly. He needs to shoulder more responsibility.
Forwards
Marcus Rashford (6/10): Rashford worked tirelessly, but his end product was lacking. He had a couple of decent chances but couldn't find the back of the net.
Antony (5/10): Antony struggled to make an impact, his usual trickery failing to create meaningful opportunities. He needs to improve his final ball.
Anthony Martial (6.5/10): Martial displayed flashes of brilliance, showing his talent with some deft touches and clever movements. However, his overall impact was limited.
Substitutes
Alejandro Garnacho (7/10): Garnacho injected some much-needed energy and pace when he came on, causing problems for the Bodo/Glimt defense. A positive impact from the bench.
Fred (6/10): Fred offered some defensive stability after coming on, providing much-needed grit in the midfield.
Overall Assessment
Manchester United's performance against Bodo/Glimt was far from their best. While some players, like Casemiro and Garnacho, shone, several others underperformed. The team needs to improve their defensive solidity and attacking creativity if they aim to progress in the Europa League. The lack of clinical finishing was a significant factor in the disappointing result. This match highlights the need for continued development and tactical adjustments from Erik ten Hag.