Altering of the guard? Mainoo stars at Casemiro’s expense
Manchester United put out two midfielders at Luton. One was 18 years previous, the opposite a four-time Champions League winner. One in every of them was fortunate to remain on the pitch at half-time, the opposite appeared cool and composed.
You’d count on Kobbie Mainoo to be the one fortunate to remain on the pitch – however the teenager’s skilled show confirmed a team-mate 13 years his senior the way it’s completed.
Mainoo was excellent as United calmed down a frantic recreation at Luton after half-time and held on for a win. The midfielder received 9 possessions within the defensive and center thirds on the pitch, greater than any of his United team-mates by a rustic mile. He additionally ran previous an opposition midfielder for six of the seven occasions he tried it.
Casemiro, in the meantime did not run previous any of his counterparts or win a single ball within the United defensive third.
As Jamie Redknapp stated after the sport, “it was too much for Casemiro” however the “real deal” Mainoo had the “youthfulness and the presence” to deal with it.
Sunday’s recreation at Luton might herald a altering of the guard within the United midfield.
Sam Blitz
Lengthy ball Luton are not any extra – that is trendy stuff
The evolution of Luton beneath Rob Edwards has been fascinating to look at. Throughout their final six Premier League video games, Luton have averaged 55.21 per cent possession – the ninth highest when assessing groups throughout that interval. In opposition to Manchester United they out-passed them 519 to 389.
This revamped man-for-man type that sees Ross Barkley and Albert Sambi Lokonga dictate the sport in central areas has a bit of little bit of every thing in there. It is a type that may be a bit Pep Guardiola blended in with a little bit of Marcelo Bielsa, sprinkled with peak Sam Allardyce relating to set-pieces. Groups are having hassle working all of it out. Manchester United did for 10 minutes however fell in a gap when Luton obtained their recreation going. Erik ten Hag’s males have been fortunate to get in on the break in entrance.
Sure, Edwards’ facet lack high quality within the last third however their underlying attacking course of is functioning to a excessive degree. Solely Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool have entered the opposition penalty space extra occasions during the last six fixtures than Luton whereas solely Metropolis, Liverpool and Arsenal are averaging extra pictures in that point. They’re the most well liked ticket on the town. If they’re to outlive, they will do it in type.
Lewis Jones
Sizzling-head Holgate provides Sheff Utd no hope
What likelihood do Sheffield United have of staying within the Premier League when Mason Holgate does that?
The defender tried an early reducer on Brighton’s Kauro Mitoma however as an alternative decreased his facet to 10 gamers and an inevitable defeat – their 18th in 25 Premier League matches this season.
Holgate’s recklessness is nothing new. This was his third straight pink card because the begin of the 2021-22 season and no Premier League participant has extra in that point.
Chris Wilder could seem innocent for Holgate’s second of insanity however he signed the centre-back, who managed simply 4 begins within the Championship earlier this season, on mortgage from Everton on Deadline Day.
It was a determined signing made by a determined membership that’s heading again down in historic trend.
David Richardson
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