A truly humiliating performance from Manchester United ended in a 4-0 defeat to MK Don, seeing United bow out in the second round. There was wholesale changes from the 1-1 draw with Sunderland, with only De Gea keeping his place. There was debuts for Saidy Janko, and Reece James, and also a start for Nick Powell and Marnick Vermijl. All four goals were given to them on a plate after United continued to lose the ball.
United started very lively, and looked really threatening. Danny Welbeck looked sharp and only the final ball was lacking from United’s play. We were controlling the game, and we came closest when Nick Powell curled just over from the edge of the box. On 20 minutes, Shinji Kagawa was substituted after a clash of heads was affecting his vision, and Adnan Januzaj came on in place. After this, it really went down hill for United.
The game really looked like it was heading for an MK Dons smash and grab, and on 25 minutes they did just that. Jonny Evans, who was captaining the side, passed the ball to MK Dons inside our box, and they slotted in to an open net. It was horrendous defending from Evans who was the senior defender in the side. After the goal, United did not look like scoring at all. We were failing to string passes together, and the lively start we made seemed a distant memory.
Andreas Periera made his first appearance for the senior team coming on at half time. He looked lively, but drifted in and out of the game through the half; Much like he ofte does for the U21 side. United didn’t make a great start, and got away with a penalty shout after Evans handled inside the area.
It began to look like we were the League 1 side, and MK Dons were the premier league team. They were controlling the game, and looked the most threatening. It became even more evident it that it just wasn’t a lucky 1-0 victory for the hosts – they were outplaying Manchester United Football Club. James Wilson finally made an appearance this season, replacing an average Nick Powell.
United again were undone by themselves on 64 minutes, they gave the ball away and MK Dons countered and scored to make it 2-0. On 70 minutes, another misplaced pass let MK Dons counter for a third time to make it 3-0 – clinical. By this point it was a sad sight for United fans. We finally managed a shot on target on 72 minutes after Wilson’s effort – Not good enough.
Then on 84 minutes, it became embarrassing. Another misplaced pass and some shambolic defending, and MK Dons made it 4-0. After the signing of Angel Di Maria an hour before the game, many thought this would encourage the team, but it seemed to do the opposite.
It made many realise that the 3-5-2 just really wasn’t working for us, and the traditional formation needed a return. It may have been mostly reserves playing tonight but to lose 4-0 to MK Dons was humiliating. The senior players, mainly Anderson, Hernandez and Evans really need to take a long hard look at themselves after their performances tonight.
Maybe some other signings will follow after this terrible performance, but at least it wasnt the league!
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