Manchester United endured a poor night in Rotterdam, as they were beaten by Feyenoord in their first Europa League game.
Tonny Vilhena’s goal 11 minutes from time ensured the Rotterdammers got their European campaign off to the best possible start, although Nicolai Jorgensen strayed inches offside while receiving the ball on the left wing in the lead up to the goal.
In a performance reminiscent of many in Louis van Gaal’s final season with United last term, José Mourinho’s men were limp and timid at De Kuip, failing to create any meaningful chances and assert themselves on proceedings.
Although the United manager admitted that the Europa League was not the priority this season, he will have been very displeased in the manner in which the Reds capitulated against their Dutch counterparts.
Losing to an offside goal in an away game in the group stages of a European competition isn’t the biggest blow in the world, but the performance spells the end of Mourinho’s honeymoon period at Old Trafford. The real work begins now.
Here are the United player ratings:
David de Gea - 6
Couldn’t do anything to prevent Tonny Vilhena’s goal and had very little to do all game.
Matteo Darmian - 6
Looked fairly rusty, but considering this was his first game of the season, put in a decent performance. Delivered a couple of good crosses but was guilty at times of letting his man past too easily.
Chris Smalling - 7
He’s only played two Premier League minutes so far, but the Maidstone Maldini handled Feyenoord’s attack well even though he was tested at times.
Eric Bailly - 7
Another good performance from the Ivorian. Commanded things well at the back and made several trademark crunching tackles.
Marcos Rojo - 1
The rating says it all – absolutely diabolical performance from the Argentinian. Was caught out of position on several occasions and was nowhere to be seen when Feyenoord started the move that led to the goal on the left-hand side.
Morgan Schneiderlin - 7
Disciplined performance from the Frenchman, who sat in front of the centre-backs as United played three in midfield. Solid and unspectacular was the order of the day.
Ander Herrera - 7
The best midfielder out of the trio in midfield. Put his body on the line and drove forward on occasion to link play with the forwards, as well as getting back to help out the defence.
Paul Pogba - 6
Another quiet night for Pogba. Didn’t really assert himself on proceedings as he would have like and besides an early free-kick, failed to trouble the Feyenoord defence. Too often, he overran things on the ball and took on too many men.
Juan Mata - 5
Although he worked hard, the Spaniard failed to get a handle of the game, with Feyenoord’s physical style getting the best of the pint-sized playmaker.
Anthony Martial - 5
Martial’s difficult start to the season continued at De Kuip. Aside from a half-volley that went just wide, the Frenchman was not able to make a big impact on proceedings.
Marcus Rashford - 5
Rashford showed glimpses of what he is capable of in the first half, but by and large cut a frustrated figure as he was left isolated by the inability of the midfield trio to get the ball to him. Instead of getting help, was hooked midway through the second half.
Substitutes
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (6) – More involved than Rashford was in proceedings, but failed to get the service required to get shots off on goal.
Memphis Depay (2) – Dreadful. A wild attempt on goal followed by a terrible free-kick in the dying moments summed up his day.
Ashley Young (4) – Played on the right and didn’t have too much of an impact. Had a chance late on but snatched at it instead of steadying himself and hitting the target.