Manchester United kept their 20-year unbeaten record at Villa Park going as they picked up another three points and a clean sheet against Aston Villa. With Adnan Januzaj scoring and keeping the impressive start of the season on track, here is what we learned:
1) United defensively have improved dramatically
Last season United’s main criticism centred around how frail and vulnerable they looked defensively but hopefully that’s now a thing of the past as Villa were only able to muster a single shot on target. Smalling once again put in a stellar performance making clearance after clearance and was throwing himself in front of shots. Shaw and Darmian were just as good assisting their centre-backs as they were running forward adding fuel to United’s attacks. And Schneiderlin? He looks like he has been a United player for years the way he protected his back four. Two clean sheets from the first two matches, what more can you ask?
2) Januzaj can fight for the no.10 role
Amid rumors and speculation that Januzaj would be loaned out to Sunderland for the season, van Gaal surprised everyone by including him in the starting XI ahead of Ashley Young who has predominantly been a regular starter under van Gaal as of late. What a decision it turned out to be though, with a beautiful curled shot into the corner of the net. With Memphis playing on the left wing, where he was more accustomed last season at PSV, Januzaj could give van Gaal food for thought about more regular starts just behind Rooney in attack.
3) United’s attack lacks composure and finishing
With the departures of Falcao, van Persie and di Maria this summer, a lot of expectations have been placed on United’s forwards and so far things haven’t looked promising. Despite picking up the full 6 points from their opening two games, United have only had a total of 3 shots on target so far this season with their only goal coming from Januzaj against Villa. Despite Rooney setting himself a target of 20+ goals this season, he has looked slow and sluggish so far. And as for Memphis, he is making some good forward runs but his finishing has been well below par, hitting shots too weakly, firing free kicks well over the bar and finally putting an inviting pass from Mata well wide of the net entirely.
4) Mata had a match of two tales
Mata ended up as man of the match against Villa thanks to his superb pass to Adnan Januzaj and should have had a second brilliant assist with his delectable pass to Memphis Depay only for him to miss the net. But the small Spaniard was so easily pushed off the ball in his own half and gave away far too many interceptions. Had United been against tougher, better-attacking opponents, he could have consequently given away sloppy easy goals and the scoreline could have been very different.
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