Astana vs Manchester United. UEFA Europa League Group L.
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Report as positives in Kazakhstan outweigh United's first Europa League defeat of the season
Thursday 28 November 2019 21:02, UK
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's youngsters were dealt a harsh footballing lesson as Astana came from behind to condemn Manchester United to a 2-1 defeat in Kazakhstan.
With their passage to the knockout phase already secure, Solskjaer handed seven players - of which six where teenagers - their full club debuts in the Europa League Group L clash in what was the youngest-ever side Manchester United had fielded in European competition.
Solskjaer's faith was repaid inside 10 minutes when captain Jesse Lingard drilled United into a deserved lead.
The youthful United side enjoyed a measure of control throughout but their failure to convert their dominance came back to haunt them as Dmitry Shomko hauled Astana level on 55 minutes, 38 seconds after Tahith Chong spurned a glorious chance to double the visitors' lead.
Debutant Di'Shon Bernard's unfortunate own goal seven minutes later then sealed Astana's first Europa League points of the season and their first win over English opposition as United tasted defeat in Europe for the first time this campaign.
Considering the mixture of inexperience and rustiness, Solskjaer's side equipped themselves well during a bright start. Mason Greenwood stung the palms of the goalkeeper and by the 10th minute, the visitors were ahead.
Luke Shaw, making his first appearance since August, played in Lingard to rifle a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner from 20 yards, leading to cheers from all four corners of the ground.
Astana flickered into life midway through the first half and Dorin Rotariu wasted a glorious chance when ghosting behind the sleepy United backline, while Grant comfortably denied Abzal Beysebekov soon after.
Lingard saw a shot deflect over and Greenwood irritated team-mates by ignoring them to take a hopeful shot, with the teenager then irking the home fans by chipping Astana goalkeeper Nenad Eric with play halted for offside.
But Astana were proving a handful and pushed for a leveller after the break, with sloppy play nearly resulting in Bernard putting a clearance into his own goal.
United were just about holding firm and had a gilt-edged chance to put the game to bed in the 55th minute. A smart one-two with Angel Gomes ended with Shaw turning and firing the ball across the six-yard box, where unmarked Chong somehow scooped over at the far post.
It was a dreadful miss that proved the evening's turning point. Astana's leveller had been coming and it was a strike that Shomko will treasure, hitting a low effort past Grant.
United had little chance to restock by the time the perennial Kazakh champions were celebrating again, with debutant Bernard directing a cross into his own net at the near post seven minutes later. Axel Tuanzebe helped the devastated debutant to his feet.
Ineffective Chong soon made way as D'Mani Bughail-Mellor made his United bow, with Astana continuing to look the bigger threat and Runar Mar Sigurjonsson just missed the chance to score a stunning strike against the club he supports.
Astana keeper Eric pulled off stunning saves to deny Gomes' free-kick and then Greenwood as United fell to defeat on an evening that ended with Largie Ramazani and Ethan Galbraith coming on for their debuts.
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: "We're disappointed with the end result but there are definitely positives. I thought we started the game fantastically, the boys took control of the game, and the response after they scored two was also good. I was disappointed with that 10 minute spell, you could feel pressure was coming but some fantastic performances by the three young lads who made their debut, all were excellent."
Manchester United host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday at 4.30pm. United then end their Europa League campaign at home to AZ Alkmaar on December 12 at 8pm, while Astana travel to Partizan at the same time.
